Guatemala denounces guards after finding money and crocodiles in a prison

Guatemala’s prison system has denounced more than 100 guards on charges including possible abuses of power, after a prison clearing revealed hidden money and even exotic pets.

Most of the guards worked at a prison known as “El Infiernito,” about 80 km south of the capital, which until earlier this month housed hundreds of alleged members of the Barrio 18 criminal gang.

On June 2, the authorities of the Central American country transferred the 225 prisoners held in the complex to regain control of the prison.

The next day, authorities found nearly $24,000 in cash, 30 cell phones and various pet animals, including raccoons, hawks and crocodiles.

The prison system requested an investigation for possible abuse of power, failure to fulfill duties, disobedience, failure to report and usurpation of powers against the 102 prison guards.

He also called for six other guards to be investigated separately for disrupting the transfer of a prisoner to a medical clinic.

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