PALO,
Leyte, Sept. 21 -- The
Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation into the recent
recovery of illegal drugs paraphernalia and other contrabands during clearing
operations inside jail facilities in Eastern Visayas.
PNP
Regional Director, Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz said on Thursday they have to
identify the owners of confiscated prohibited items and how these were brought
inside prison cells.
“We have
indicators. The next step is to identify these individuals, especially those
who are allegedly involved in illegal drug trade inside the jail,” Cruz told
reporters.
The
police regional chief believes that there is illegal drugs trade in some prison
complexes after the recovery of drug paraphernalia such as weighing scale,
syringe, and improvised tooter during the surprise inspection. No shabu or
marijuana were found.
Also
seized during the Sept. 9 clearing operations were television, karaoke, mobile
phones, laptop, tablets, DVD player, and mobile internet.
Joint
personnel of the PNP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents, and Bureau of
Jail Management and Penology also found knives, improvised steel arrow,
screwdrivers, hammer, chisel, hacksaw blade, wooden baton and steel bars.
The
inspection also yielded playing cards, bingo card set, mahjong sets, chips, and
tattoo kits.
What
surprises Cruz was the confiscation of a drone at the Leyte Provincial Jail.
“We have
already destroyed the items because we don’t want to be accused that policemen
use confiscated items,” Cruz explained.
Jail
facilities that yielded drug paraphernalia is the priority of their follow-up
inspection.
The PNP
will hold a dialogue with officials manning the jail facilities to discuss
measures on how to make prison facilities drug-free. (RTA/PNA)
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