The death toll from a weekend attack on a penitentiary in the northeastern Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez has risen to 19. Defense Secretary Luis Crescencio Sandoval said that the death toll has reached 19.
Sandoval gave an update on the death toll at a press conference, saying that ten inmates, seven guards, and two attackers were killed.
Authorities in the state of Chihuahua initially said 14 people had died and 13 were injured.
Security Minister Rosa Isela Rodriguez has confirmed the escape of 25 prisoners, including notorious criminal leader Ernesto ‘El Neto’ Pinon.
According to reports, “El Neto” and other inmates received special facilities at the prison, including “VIP” cells fitted with televisions and other luxuries.
According to authorities, more than half a million dollars were found inside the cell of leader “El Neto” of the criminal gang Los Mexicalis.
285 bags of crystal meth, 38 bags of cocaine, 68 bags of marijuana, 1.5 kg of heroin and eight fentanyl pills were also seized.
Gunmen with armored vehicles suddenly opened fire on the guards who arrived at the prison at 7 am local time on Sunday. Prison officials said the gunmen were believed to have carried out the attack to free members of their group from the prison.
Sandoval told the media that the prison was on break due to overcrowding. He also said that a request has been made to transfer the prisoners from the prison.
He informed that 90 National Guard and 120 Army personnel have been deployed to search for the escaped prisoners.
(including information from agencies)
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