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
-
Election 2024: Alan paints Accra yellow as the crowd marches through the capital with him
1 min -
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
12 mins -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
13 mins -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
28 mins -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
28 mins -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
53 mins -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
53 mins -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
54 mins -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
2 hours -
Perception issues affecting Supreme Court – Nii Armah Addy
2 hours -
Armed men bolt with cash at Adabraka market in dramatic daylight robbery
2 hours -
Bawku Conflict: National Security fully aware of events – Bawku Naaba’s lawyer
2 hours -
Dodome to celebrate festival in a bid to construct traditional council facility
2 hours -
Bawku conflict: We’re playing with fire, gov’t must stamp its authority – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
Supreme Court under Akufo-Addo is acting supranational – Tony Aidoo
2 hours