Three police officers arrested over escape of two dangerous inmates from Palmasola

Authorities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, have arrested three police officers as part of the investigation into the escape of two high-profile inmates from Palmasola prison. The officers are being questioned to determine their potential involvement or facilitation of the escape, which occurred during an early morning power outage.

The fugitives, identified as Brazilian nationals Álex Heleno da Silva and Junior da Silva Fernando, were serving time for serious offenses. Da Silva is reportedly being investigated for murder and is considered a suspected member of the First Command Capital (PCC), one of Brazil's most formidable criminal organizations. Da Silva Fernando was imprisoned on arms trafficking charges.

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The inmates exploited a power outage recorded during the early morning to execute an escape plan.

Preliminary reports suggest the inmates exploited the blackout to execute their escape plan. They allegedly used a tool to cut through the prison's fencing, bypassed security locks on a turret, and descended using a makeshift rope fashioned from knotted sheets. The escape was not detected by security personnel until after the inmates had already fled the facility.

Following the confirmed escape, police launched a search operation across Santa Cruz and intensified border controls. Authorities are urging the public to report any information that could lead to the recapture of the two Brazilian citizens. The arrests of the police officers underscore the seriousness of the investigation into potential negligence or complicity within the prison system.

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the investigation seeks to clarify whether they failed to comply with security protocols or facilitated the exit of the inmates.