Brazilian convict loses luxurious lifestyle

The luxurious lifestyle of a convict in northeastern Brazil has come to an abrupt end after police confiscated a plasma TV set, gym equipment, two pistols and cash worth $173,000 (€111,000) from his cell.

Bahia’s Prison Affairs Department head Jose Francisco Leite said police raided the cell in a statewide crackdown on drug trafficking.

Authorities have ordered an investigation of how of Genilson Lins da Silva got the money, two .38-calibre pistols and other amenities into his cell at Bahia’s Lemos Brito Penitentiary.

Silva is serving 28 years for robbery and murder and was transferred to another prison.

Mr Leite said Silva “led a posh prison life in his cell, which he occupied all by himself”.