Woman 'tried to sneak inmate out of prison in suitcase'

A woman was caught trying to sneak her common-law-husband out of a Mexican prison in a suitcase following a conjugal visit, according to police.

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Prison guards found Juan Ramirez Tijerina curled up inside a suitcase after he tried to escape from prison with the help of his girlfriend Photo: AP

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Ramirez is serving a 20-year sentence for a 2007 conviction for illegal weapons possession Photo: AP

8:11AM BST 05 Jul 2011

Staff at the prison in Chetumal in the Caribbean state of Quintana Roo noticed that the woman seemed nervous and was pulling a black, wheeled suitcase that looked bulky, said a police spokesman.

Prison guards checked the bag of 19-year-old Maria del Mar Arjona and found inmate Juan Ramirez Tijerina curled up inside in the fetal position, he added.

The prisoner is serving a 20-year sentence for a 2007 conviction for illegal weapons possession.

Arjona was arrested and charges are pending.

The attempted escape comes months after police discovered a bar at prison in northern Mexico that served beer, tequila and vodka to inmates.

Culled from : The Telegraph UK