Mexican prison director removed after allowing Botox injection on high-profile inmate

Mexican prison director removed after allowing Botox injection on high-profile inmate

2011-02-03 02:12:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- The director of a Mexico City's prison on Tuesday was removed from her post after allowing the application of a Botox injection on a high-profile female inmate.

On Wednesday, Mexico City's prison system authorities announced the dismissal of Sara Leticia Morales Cartagena as director of the Santa Martha female prison. In addition, the prison's hospital manager was removed.

The decision to remove Morales was taken after an investigation revealed that she allowed the entrance of a private physician to inject Botox on Sandra Avila Beltran, the alleged drug trafficker known as "The Queen of the Pacific."

According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the prison's hospital requested director Morales the permit for applying a vaccine to Avila Beltran as well as the entrance of a private doctor to do so.

"The doctor was admitted by the person in charge of the medical area, violating all procedures. The aim was to carry out a cosmetic treatment that is not authorized for inmates," a prison authority statement informed.

However, the investigation revealed that the supposed vaccine was in fact a Botox injection which was applied on January 10. Avila Beltran was arrested for her involvement with the Sinaloa cartel.

The Queen of the Pacific is accused of drug trafficking and money laundering and has been imprisoned since 2007. However, she was acquitted last December after a judge ruled that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence.

She has remained in prison as prosecutors challenged the ruling. The U.S. is seeking the extradition of Avila Beltran on drug trafficking charges

Avila Beltran was considered a top leader of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in America. She has denied all charges and claimed to have made her fortune by selling clothes.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-02-03