Mexico cops shut down prison bar

2011-05-25 11:47

Ciudad Juarez - Mexican police have dismantled a fully-stocked bar - complete with two billiards tables - that had been operating inside a jail.

Authorities announced late Tuesday that they had seized some 200 bottles of beer, 12 bottles of tequila and 20 bottles of vodka, as well as firearms, marijuana and heroin from what they said was a low-security prison.

Carlos Gonzales, a spokesperson for the northern Chihuahua state where the raid took place, did not provide details as to how the prisoners had concealed the watering hole from authorities.

But he said at least one prison administrator had been fired over the incident and may face charges.

Mexico's jails, which house some 222 000 prisoners, are notoriously overpopulated and often the scene of riots as well as mass breakouts, many of which are believed to be carried out with the help of corrupt guards.
 

- AFP