Brazilian authorities have thwarted an attempt by one of the country's most notorious drug lords to escape from prison disguised as his 19-year-old daughter.

Clauvino da Silva donned a silicone mask and long brunette wig for his elaborate bid to slip out of Rio de Janeiro's Bangu 3, where he was serving a 73-year sentence for drug trafficking as a leader of the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) gang.

Similar in size to his daughter, the 42-year-old gangster, known as Baixinho – which translates as Shorty - believed he could fool the prison guards by switching places with the teenager, leaving her in jail while he made his escape.

Several people were involved in the plot, including a pregnant woman who was able to bring in the mask and clothing needed for the escape without being searched.

Da Silva donned the mask, bra, tight-fitting pink t-shirt, jeans, black wig and glasses and attempted to make his escape along with other visitors.

The disguise may have - at first glance - been convincing, but his nervous demeanour made prison guards suspicious. His requesting his daughter's ID card on his departure did little to help the subterfuge.

They first removed the "visitor's" glasses, then the long black wig, followed by the jacket and t-shirt. The "woman" turned out to be a slightly-built but muscular man who was revealed as da Silva when he pulled off the silicone mask.