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Aerial view of the prison in Ciudad Juárez
Photo: - / AFP
A full-scale attack by armed commandos on a prison in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, has killed 17 and freed 25 prisoners, including the leader of a local gang.
According to the Chihuahua state prosecutor's office, the attackers appeared in armored vehicles in front of the detention center on New Year's morning and opened fire on police officers and guards.
The attack sparked fighting among inmates at the large state penitentiary in northern Mexico near the US border.
According to media reports, inmates set fire to furniture and attacked guards.
Security forces were only able to bring the situation under control again after five hours.
According to the authorities, 13 people were injured in the fighting.
Ten prison guards and security guards are among the 17 dead.
In the detention center, members of various criminal gangs and drug cartels are held in separate cell blocks.
According to prosecutors, 25 prisoners managed to escape during the armed attack.
"VIP" cells with televisions and a safe full of cash
Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez identified the escaped detainees as members of the Mexicles gang, which she linked to the Caborca cartel.
She said the leader of the Mexicles gang was among the fugitives.
The Mexicles have been one of the main gangs in Juarez for decades and for many years were known to work with the Sinaloa cartel.
The Caborca cartel was led by drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was arrested in July.
Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said the soldiers and state police who took back control of the prison found ten "VIP" cells equipped with televisions and other amenities.
One even contained a safe filled with cash.
Authorities also found cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana at the prison, sources said.
The city of Ciudad Juárez, with a population of 1.5 million, lies on the US border and has suffered for years from the violence of rival drug cartels fighting for control of smuggling routes into the US.
Bloody fights keep breaking out in the city prison.
In 2009, 20 people were killed in a prisoner mutiny.
Last August, three inmates died in fights between members of rival gangs.
mgo/AFP/AP