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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Graeme Murray

Dramatic CCTV footage shows Colombian drug cartel leader escaping high-security prison

CCTV video footage shows a Columbian drug cartel leader escaping prison.

Juan Castro was seen walking out of La Picota jail, a high-security prison which is well guarded.

The gang boss also known as "Matamba", was filmed escaping on Friday from the prison in Bogotá and remains on the run.

He is seen on video wearing a prison guard's uniform and fleeing from the facility.

Leaders of the South American country are furious about his escape which has prompted President Iván Duque to announce a reform of the jail system.

The jail's director has been suspended in addition to more than 50 guards working at the time of his escape, prosecutor Margarita Cabello said.

Juan Castro was seen walking out of La Picota jail (@ELTIEMPO)

Matamba was not in his cell when guards carried out an inspection and roll call on Friday.

The country's prison service released video footage where Matamba calmly walks out of the prison wing through an open door.

But no other prison guards are seen in the footage.

The guard has been arrested after being suspected of giving him official's clothing and leaving the door ajar.

Footage shows the prisoner brazenly walking out of jail (@ELTIEMPO)

He brazenly walked through seven sets of doors including one which was ajar by National Penitentiary and Prison Institute inspector

The inspector is expected to be charged on Tuesday and is accused of helping a prisoner escape.

It could result in a 12 years jail sentence if he is found guilty of helping escape.

Prison director Juan Gordillo, an assistant director and 55 guards have also been suspended following the brazen daylight incident.

Matamba has not been seen since his escape (@ELTIEMPO)

Matamba was arrested on drugs charges and has been incarcerated at the prison, but faced extradition to the US.

He is accused of masterminding 20% of the cocaine shipments from Nariño province in the south west of the country.

The prisoner has broken out of jail before both on both occasions he was caught again.

Colombian title Semana reports he faked his own death to escape being returned to his prison cell.

He later re-appeared using a different name and looking different after plastic surgery.

Colombian National Police standing next to alleged drug trafficker of the Clan del Golfo, aka Matamba (Colombian National Police/AFP vi)

Last year in Floridablanca, police traced him as was preparing to celebrate his birthday.

Matamba's escape follows a number of scandals to affect Colombia's prison service.

The service's director was sacked after a jailed businessman was taken to private meetings by staff at the prison

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