Gang leaders who formerly controlled a prison in Venezuela managed to escape the country a week before authorities launched a major operation to take back control, according to a prisoners’ rights group. The Tren de Aragua gang, known for their international crime operations, had turned Tocoron prison into a hub for their activities. The massive operation, involving over 11,000 soldiers and police, resulted in the seizure of Bitcoin mining machines, rocket launchers, and machine guns with ammunition belts. It was discovered that the gang leaders, known as “pranes,” had negotiated with authorities and fled the facility. The Venezuelan Prison Observatory accused authorities of lacking transparency and failing to disclose their whereabouts. Meanwhile, other inmates from Tocoron prison were being relocated to different detention centers.
The Tren de Aragua gang, which reportedly comprises around 5,000 criminals, has engaged in various illegal activities, including kidnapping, robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution, and extortion. Their influence has extended to legal and illegal gold mining. Interior Ministry Admiral Remigio Ceballos revealed the discovery of escape tunnels, but the number of detainees who managed to flee remains unknown. Four prison officials have been arrested and charged with assisting the criminals.
The Venezuelan Prison Observatory expressed their concerns about the complicity of other individuals in the prison, questioning how the officials were able to bring in rockets and weapons without the involvement of many others.