Federal officials say local authorities ' handling of the prisons is ` ` deplorable '' The state says it ca n't prevent escapes and has asked for federal help . The prison 's superintendent is missing , and an investigation suggests inmates colluded with inmates . Tamaulipas has been a battleground in a bloody turf war between the Zetas gang and the Gulf cartel , but authorities did not indicate Friday whether drug gangs were involved in the escape . At least two other high - profile escapes occurred in the state this year .
Federal officials say local authorities ' handling of the prisons is ` ` deplorable '' The state says it ca n't prevent escapes and has asked for federal help . The prison 's superintendent is missing , and an investigation suggests inmates colluded with inmates . At least two other high - profile escapes occurred in the state this year .