In Guatemala, members of the infamous Barrio 18 gang ran a crime call center in a prison. After the operation was exposed, police relocated all 225 gang members and found the inmates’ pets: crocodiles, gray foxes and more.
As Secretary of the Interior Francisco Jiménez announced on the online service In addition to the private zoo, prisoners also had amenities such as air conditioning, televisions and refrigerators. The call center, which was operated via mobile phones and even had an internet connection, had already been closed during a previous police raid.
“Real maximum security prison” must be created
“We will find all the hiding places where money, firearms and mobile phones were kept, even if we have to tear down all the walls and tear out the floors,” the Interior Minister announced. The state has regained control of the prison and will convert it into a “real maximum security prison” with “strict controls”. “It’s a prison, not a holiday,” he added, referring to the current situation.
According to Deputy Security Minister Claudia Palencia, who visited the prison with journalists after the gang members were transferred, “previous governments” had left the prison more than 30 years ago. This allowed the prisoners to live a comfortable life.
One of the most dangerous countries in Latin America
Guatemala is considered one of the most dangerous countries in Latin America. Last year there were more than 4,360 murders in the country, half of which were attributed to drug and gang crime. The Barrio 18 gang specializes in protection rackets. According to authorities, most of the extortionists’ calls are traced to prisons.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
