Vast luxuries, such as saunas, a bar, food stands and appliances, were discovered by authorities entering a prison in northern Mexico to investigate a riot that killed 49 inmates.
Nuevo Leon state authorities on Sunday said in a statement that the cells inside Monterrey’s Topo Chico prison were outfitted with mini fridges, air conditioners, digital cable and aquariums, with 280 food and grocery stands where inmates could buy goods.
A riot broke out on Thursday last week between two rival factions of the Zetas drug cartel.
Heavy machinery was brought in to haul away tonnes of contraband furniture and other goods that authorities had piled in the prison yard, the statement said.
It added that police destroyed hundreds of altars to Santa Muerte, or Saint Death — some of them life-size. The folk figure is revered by drug traffickers and some people among the downtrodden.
Authorities did not say how long the abuses had occurred or who allowed them.
Nuevo Leon Governor Jaime Rodriguez last week said that 60 hammers, 86 knives and 120 shivs were used in the riot.
The prison’s director, superintendent and a guard have been arrested on murder charges.
On Monday, UN special rapporteur on torture Juan Mendezcalled on Mexico’s government to conduct an exhaustive investigation of the riot.
Mendez said that the government must guarantee that the victims’ families know what happened during the riot at the prison in the northern city of Monterrey.
The investigation should identify those responsible and include reparations for the victims’ relatives, Mendez said.
Mendez toured the prison in 2014. He said he witnessed horrible conditions and lax rules that allowed prisoners to govern themselves and led to violence.
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