Posted on: September 21, 2023, 06:48h.
Last updated on: September 21, 2023, 06:48h.
The Aragua Penitentiary Center in Venezuela, once a haven for inmates with access to extravagant amenities like gambling halls, restaurants, and even a zoo, has been taken over by police and military personnel, putting an end to their lavish lifestyle.
During the raid, it was confirmed that the rumors of the prison’s luxurious conditions were true, with police and soldiers discovering flamingos, a jaguar, and other exotic animals in a makeshift zoo created and maintained by the inmates themselves.
In addition to the zoo, the prisoners enjoyed a range of amenities such as cell phones, internet access, television, air conditioners, and even a nightclub called Tokio. The police and military found a room filled with Bitcoin mining machines, highlighting the inmates’ involvement in cryptocurrency mining, according to local media outlet El Periodiquito de Aragua.
After regaining control of the prison, Venezuela’s Ministry for the Penitentiary Service started the process of relocating the 1,800 prisoners to various prison centers in other states. However, during the census, it was discovered that Héctor “El Niño” Guerrero, the leader of a notorious organized crime gang called “Aragua Train,” and several other inmates had escaped through underground tunnels.
Extravagance in Plain Sight
Reports and investigations dating back to 2017 have revealed the opulence within the Tocorón prison. These included parties with renowned DJs, singers, and even erotic dancers. Themes for the parties ranged from costume parties to neon-themed events, attended by relatives and partners of the inmates.
/5 Inside Tocoron: the prison that is run with a firmhand is no ordinary prison. It is a small town, with all the facilities of a normal town like a swimming pool for example pic.twitter.com/ZjIev2XRfK
— Michel Baljet (@MichelBaljet) May 14, 2018
The raid confirmed the existence of a restaurant, swimming pools, sports fields, including a softball field, and even a horse racing betting center within Tocorón. The facility was equipped with satellite TV to broadcast races for the inmates’ enjoyment.
Despite public comments from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, it remains unclear how the prison was able to operate under such conditions for an extended period. Many inmates lived with their families inside the facility, seemingly without proper supervision from the Ministry for the Penitentiary Service.
Fortunately, there were no reports of deaths or injuries among the inmates during the raid. However, videos from the scene showed private shacks where prisoners lived going up in flames as a result of explosions and the mobilization of tanks and armored vehicles.
A similar situation occurred in Colombia’s La Picota prison, where parties filled with alcohol and illegal gambling took place before authorities took action.
A Dangerous Fugitive
Some of the escaped convicts have already been recaptured, but the authorities are particularly interested in recapturing Héctor “El Niño” Guerrero, one of Venezuela’s most dangerous criminals.
The Aragua Train gang, led by Guerrero, is responsible for numerous heinous crimes in South America and has a history of violence comparable to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. From extortion to drug and human trafficking, assassinations, and more, the gang is involved in various illicit activities throughout countries like Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia.
Guerrero, who arrived at Tocorón in 2010 and made his first escape just two years later, has been a persistent threat. He has faced charges of murder, theft, illegal weapons possession, and escape, and has continued to oversee the gang’s operations within the prison and beyond.
To capture Guerrero and dismantle his criminal network, authorities face significant challenges due to the gang’s extensive reach in Latin America.