Venezuela has sent 11,000 troops to regain control of one of its biggest prisons that had been overrun by a powerful criminal gang.
The Tocoron prison, in the north of the country, was under the control of the Tren de Aragua mega-gang for years.
Members were able to roam freely around the prison, which had hotel-like facilities including a pool, nightclub and a mini zoo, local media reported.
Officials said the 6,000 inmates would be transferred to other prisons.
Many free residents were living inside the prison alongside sentenced inmates. After authorities announced that prisoners would be relocated, some relatives cried outside, unsure where they would go next.
"I am waiting to hear where they are taking my husband… I was living in there, but they kicked us out," Gladys Hernandez told AFP news agency.
It reported that journalists saw security guards carrying motorcycles, televisions and microwaves from the jail.
In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, the Venezuelan Interior Ministry congratulated officers for regaining the prison and dismantling "a centre of conspiracy and crime".
The leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, Hector Guerrero Flores, was serving a 17 year sentence inside the prison for murder and drug trafficking.
However, he was so powerful that he reportedly used to come and go freely from the prison before becoming a full-time inmate, according to Carlos Nieto, from a coordinator with A Window to Freedom.
Latest Stories
-
Forest industries in Ghana build synergies for green sustainable future
33 mins -
Ghanaian pastors pay Nigerian musicians better than local singers – Celestine Donkor
1 hour -
UCC branch of NDC prevails on John Mahama to maintain Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate
1 hour -
Ex-Liverpool & Newcastle star, Andy Carroll fancies All Star Festival 2024 appearance
2 hours -
Gratitude for Altitude: Bishop Victor Goldsmith Ministries to host grand music and prayer festival
2 hours -
Two jailed for robbery in Wa
2 hours -
Rhythms On Da Runway 2023: Elevating the SDGs through fashion
2 hours -
NPP knows the truth; they only pretend not to care — Global InfoAnalytics head
2 hours -
It will be difficult for OSP to prove corruption-related offences in alleged vote-buying cases – Joseph Kpemka
2 hours -
WAFCON 2024: Tournament will be very special for Black Queens – Nora Hauptle
2 hours -
Philip Nai & Friends: Menscook, Mr. Candy support Korle-Bu charity initiative
3 hours -
Import restriction L.I. was suspended for further consultation- Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours -
2024 Budget approved
3 hours -
MTN shares to receive boost following appointment of Stephen Blewett as new MTN Ghana CEO – Analysts
3 hours -
Spokesperson for New Force arrested
3 hours