Colombia’s National Prison and Penitentiary Institute (INPEC) foiled a massive escape plot in Bogota’s La Modelo, La Picota and Buen Pastor prisons, Colombian media reported Thursday.
The mass escape was scheduled for December 31 to coincide with the bustling New Year’s Eve celebrations.
According to INPEC, members of criminal gangs plotted to release 7,000 inmates by either using explosives to blow through walls or acquiring prison guard uniforms and simply walking through the front door.
The latter would imply corroboration with prison officials of both penitentiaries, but no formal charges or accusations have been made.
In an effort to strengthen security, the National Police and Army were called in to intensify surveillance within the prisons, and INPEC ordered the confinement of the entire prison guard staff as part of the investigation.