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Brazilian Drug Lord Found Serving Time in Paraguay Prison ‘VIP’ Suite


FILE - Drug lord Jarvis Chimenez Pavao, alias "Pavao," is escorted to his cell in Asuncion after being arrested in Concepcion, Paraguay, Dec. 27, 2009.
FILE - Drug lord Jarvis Chimenez Pavao, alias "Pavao," is escorted to his cell in Asuncion after being arrested in Concepcion, Paraguay, Dec. 27, 2009.

Authorities in Paraguay raided the jail cell of a Brazilian drug lord and found instead a three-room luxury suite.

The "VIP cell," as it was known to prisoners, had a library, kitchen, conference room and even a plasma television.

Jarvis Chimenes Pavao, considered one of the most dangerous drug traffickers in South America, was being held at Tacumbu Penitentiary after receiving an eight-year sentence for money laundering.

Reports say Pavao was scheduled to be released in a year and would then face extradition to Brazil on drug charges.

However, he was allegedly planning an escape using plastic explosives to blow a hole through the prison walls. The explosives were discovered and that led officials to raid the prison.

Pavao has now been transferred to a cell in a police special operation unit.

Reporters from the French News Agency (AFP) said Pavao's suite had "air conditioning, stylish tiled walls, plush furniture" and DVDs that included the complete TV series Pablo Escobar about a Colombian drug lord killed in 1993.

Pavao's lawyer said corruption in the Paraguayan penal system allowed her client to make the necessary renovations in his jail cell.

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