Tocorón prison: Venezuela regains control of gang-run jail with pool and zoo - BBC News

The prison with a pool, nightclub and zoo, was run by inmates from a notorious gang for many years.

3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Armoured vehicles and 11,000 members of the security forces were deployedBy Antoinette Radford & Vanessa BuschschlüterBBC NewsVenezuela says it has regained control of a notorious jail, which had been under the control of the powerful Tren de Aragua criminal gang.

Some 11,000 security personnel were deployed to Tocorón prison, which had been run by inmates for years.

Prisoners were able to roam freely inside the penitentiary, which had hotel-like facilities including a pool, nightclub and a mini zoo.

The interior minister said that the jail would be completely cleared.

Tocorón not only held convicted criminals but also some of their partners and relatives, who moved into the penitentiary to be near their loved ones.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-66873494?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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