MARACAY, Venezuela: In an astonishing turn of events, Venezuelan authorities have recaptured the Tocoron prison, which had been turned into a lavish playground by the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
The gang had transformed the facility into a surreal world complete with a pool, a nightclub, and even a zoo.
More than 11,000 police and soldiers, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, executed a meticulously planned operation that spanned over a year. Tragically, one soldier lost his life during the mission, according to Interior and Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos.
The loot found inside the prison was jaw-dropping. Sniper rifles, explosives, rocket launchers, and grenades were among the weapons seized, alongside illegal drugs such as cocaine and marijuana. Expensive motorbikes were also discovered.
Perhaps the most surprising discoveries were Bitcoin mining machines found within the prison, indicating the criminal gang’s technological sophistication. Authorities displayed buckets of bullets, machine gun ammunition belts, and other weaponry.
Tragic news emerged as it was revealed that zoo animals housed in the prison had perished in a fire started by the prisoners. The exact number and types of animals were not disclosed.
Four prison guards were arrested on suspicion of being accomplices to the gang members, shedding light on the extent of corruption within the prison system.
Following the government’s takeover of the prison, its 1,600 inmates are being relocated to other facilities. Some prisoners managed to escape during the operation.
This powerful home-grown gang, with approximately 5,000 members according to journalist Ronna Risquez, is involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including kidnappings, robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion, and illegal gold mining. They are also implicated in migrant smuggling.
Reports suggest that the gang leaders had established a luxurious lifestyle behind bars, complete with a bank, a baseball field, and a restaurant. This characterization was supported by the accounts of women who were evicted from the prison.
The gang’s leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, was serving a 17-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking at Tocoron prison. This information was confirmed by Carlos Nieto, coordinator of A Window for Freedom, a prison rights NGO.
In the wake of this extraordinary operation, Venezuelan authorities are vowing to bring criminals and their accomplices to justice. The discovery of high-tech contraband and the luxurious conditions within the prison underline the challenges faced by authorities in combating organized crime in the region.
