10 Shocking facts about Colombian drug Lord Pablo Escobar (With Pictures)

4. He Built His Own Jail

Escobar may have feared extradition to the USA, but he generally held the Colombian prison system in contempt. After assassinating a presidential candidate in 1991, the authorities convinced him to surrender in return for a reduced sentence and good treatment in prison. He acquiesced on the condition that he could help to design the prison. He was subsequently incarcerated in the luxury La Catedral private prison, where he could receive visitors and play football and cook barbecues. The authorities weren’t allowed within 3 miles of the compound. However, upon discovering that he was continuing to run his empire from behind bars, an attempt was made to switch him to another prison – Escobar promptly escaped.