LIMA: Peru on Tuesday named a third new police chief in just 10 days as a corruption investigation into the over-pricing of health supplies amid the coronavirus crisis continued.
The new chief, Hector Loayza, was hastily promoted to general so that he could take up the new role with almost the entire upper echelons of the police hierarchy under suspicion.
Local media claim the case involves more than two million dollars in purchases.
"We need to take decisions promptly, ably, because it's a pretty delicate situation, we're receiving information that requires firm decisions," said new Interior Minister Gaston Rodriguez, without divulging more information on the change.
The public prosecutor's investigation was launched at the end of April following 15 complaints over the purchase of masks, alcohol, gloves and other supplies allegedly over-priced.
Loayza replaces General Max Iglesias, who spent just 10 days in the post after he was picked to take over from Jose Lavalle.
Lavalle was replaced the same day that former interior minister Carlos Moran surprisingly resigned, which the government says was nothing to do with the scandal.
Rodriguez insisted on Tuesday that the police would co-operate fully with "all the anti-corruption prosecutors" involved in the investigation.
Television program Cuarto Poder has alleged that the suspicious purchases were made by businesses with links to the police force and no experience in the health sector.
At least 23 police officers have died of COVID-19 in Peru with 2,600 having contracted the virus, according to interior ministry figures from April 30.--AFP