IN 2018, a decision was taken by key agencies in the national security network, based on alarming intelligence, to extract high-risk inmates which both police and prison authorities described the most dangerous remandees from among other prisoners and isolate them to Building 13, at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca.

But what was then touted as a major step to get a grasp on the criminal network which was still operating in jail spiralled out of control with inmates taking control of Building 13 and ordering the murders of prison officers, both senior and junior, paralysing the prison administration with fear and eventually into compliance.

In essence, a counter-measure to isolate and monitor the inmates backfired as the once warring rival gangs formed themselves into a powerful criminal syndicate, according to a senior intelligence officer, familiar with the operations and structure of criminal gangs, said.