Clash of Brazil Prison Gangs Leaves 13 Dead, 13 Wounded

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — A clash between rival gangs inside a prison in western Brazil on Thursday left 13 inmates dead and another 13 wounded, authorities said.

The two groups were vying to control the drug trade within Pascoal Ramos penitentiary in Cuiaba, 980 miles northwest of Rio de Janeiro, said Jose Carlos de Carvalho, coordinator of the Mato Grosso State prison system.

Hundreds of riot troops were sent in to end the violence. Carvalho insisted no police were involved in the killings.

In a search following the clash, police said they located two revolvers and 350 packets of cocaine and marijuana.

Prison rebellions are an almost daily occurrence in Brazil, where prison conditions are poor and overcrowding chronic.