Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Bitcoin machines, rocket-launchers seized in Venezuela prison
Grenades confiscated inside the Tocoron prison are displayed during a press conference after authorities seized control of the prison in Tocoron, Aragua State, Venezuela, on September 21, 2023. Venezuela said Wednesday it had seized control of a prison from the hands of a powerful gang with international reach, in a major operation involving 11,000 members of its security forces.YURI CORTEZ / AFP
Latest News
September 21, 2023

Bitcoin machines, rocket-launchers seized in Venezuela prison

MARACAY, Venezuela, (AFP) – Venezuelan authorities on Thursday showed off dozens of Bitcoin mining machines and heavy weapons such as rocket launchers and grenades seized in a prison recaptured from gang control.

More than 11,000 police and soldiers, backed up by tanks and armored vehicles, stormed the Tocoron prison in the country’s north on Wednesday.

The facility had long served as the headquarters of the Tren de Aragua gang that operates in Venezuela and other Latin American countries.

Interior and Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos told reporters four prison guards were arrested as suspected accomplices of gang members who had lived it up behind bars.

“There will be no impunity. We will go against all the criminals and accomplices,” said Ceballos, hailing a “successful operation that allowed us to strike a blow against criminal groups.”

After declaring it had taken control of the prison, the government began evacuating its 1,600 inmates to other locations.

The prison boasted gang-installed amenities such as a zoo, a pool, gambling rooms, a disco, a baseball field and a restaurant.

Some inmates had lived there with their wives or girlfriends, who were kicked out during the operation.

Ceballos said sniper rifles, explosives, rocket launchers, and grenades were seized and authorities showed journalists buckets of bullets, heaps of machine gun ammunition belts and machines used to mine for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

On Wednesday, the government said some inmates had managed to flee during the clampdown, without giving details.

Ceballos said the gang leaders had mistreated other prisoners and kept them in “a kind of slavery.”

Tren de Aragua, Venezuela’s most powerful home-grown gang, is involved in crime countrywide and has spread its tentacles to neighboring nations.

According to an investigation by Venezuelan journalist Ronna Risquez, it has some 5,000 members.

The gang emerged a decade ago, and is involved in kidnappings, robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion and illegal gold mining.

The InSight Crime think tank says the gang is also a major player in migrant smuggling.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Pope Leo says welfare of Venezuelans must prevail
Latest News, News
Pope Leo says welfare of Venezuelans must prevail
January 4, 2026
Vatican City, Holy See (AFP) —Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said Venezuelans' welfare should prevail and the country's sovereignty should be guaranteed after...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Over 30 killed, several kidnapped in central Nigeria
International News, Latest News
Over 30 killed, several kidnapped in central Nigeria
January 4, 2026
LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP) — Armed gangs have raided a village in a north-central Nigerian state where hundreds of schoolchildren were abducted late last ye...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Flash flood watch issued for several parishes as unstable weather continues
Latest News, News
Flash flood watch issued for several parishes as unstable weather continues
January 4, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a flash flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Mary, Portland, St ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Barbados PM calls for de-escalation of conflict in Venezuela
Latest News, Regional
Barbados PM calls for de-escalation of conflict in Venezuela
January 4, 2026
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley has described as “uncharted territory” the events that unfolded in Venezuela on Satu...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US to work with current Venezuela leaders if they make ‘right decision’ — Rubio
International News, Latest News
US to work with current Venezuela leaders if they make ‘right decision’ — Rubio
January 4, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States is ready to work with Venezuela's remaining leaders if they make "the right decision," Secretary o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Business, Latest News
Kintyre and Miracle talk up growth opportunities with ‘Bold’ partnership
January 3, 2026
The principals of Kintyre Holdings (JA) Limited and Miracle Corporation say their companies’ strategic joint venture is positioned to be a major force...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Venezuela’s Maduro arrives in US after capture
International News, Latest News
Venezuela’s Maduro arrives in US after capture
January 3, 2026
NEWBURGH, United States (AFP) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived Saturday evening at a military base in the United States after his captur...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela
Latest News, News
Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela
January 3, 2026
NEW YORK, United States — Air travel disruptions are expected to last for days as hundreds of flights scheduled for the Caribbean have been cancelled ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct