February 19, 2012: On this day, the Apodaca prison riot left 44 Cartel del Golfo members dead, 12 were injured, and 37 Los Zetas inmates escaped from Apodaca prison in Nuevo Leon. Officials stated that 44 inmates were killed, though unofficial reports suggest that number may be up to 70.
The riot started after prison guards allowed Los Zetas cartel members to surge the neighbouring security cell block, where Cartel del Golfo members were sleeping. During the riot, a prison guard was taken hostage, mattresses were set ablaze, and dozens of Zeta members escaped, including Monterrey Zetas leader Óscar Manuel Bernal “La Araña.”
After the investigation, authorities confirmed that the riot was orchestrated as a diversion “for a massive jailbreak.” Investigations revealed that the prison directors accepted between 15,000 – 40,000 pesos, and the guards around 6,000 pesos, in bribes each month. It was also confirmed that Bernal “La Araña” was allowed to hold parties with musical groups and women during his detention.
According to inmates, the prison was under the control of Los Zetas, who were allowed to operate freely and leave the prison to handle their business. The Nuevo Leon security chief General Jaime Castaneda was sacked as a result. The Apodaca riot is one of the deadliest prison massacres in Mexico’s history.