CPDRC eyes stiffer penalties for contraband smugglers

CEBU, Philippines - As smuggled items continue to slip inside the Cebu Provincial Rehabilitation Center, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas has recommended for stiffer penalties against jail workers, inmates, and visitors caught in possession of contraband.

In its post greyhound operation report submitted last week to Governor Hilario Davide III, PDEA advised the provincial government to craft policies that would impose stiffer penalties for smuggling contraband inside the jail like cellular phones and illegal drugs, among others.

PDEA, according to a statement from the Provincial Information Office, said smuggling of mobile phones, for instance, inside the jail has worsened because inmates reportedly used these devices for illegal transactions.

A rigorous screening process and a periodic drug testing for all jail employees as well as a surprise random drug test for inmates have also been recommended.

The drug enforcement agency said the enforcement of anti-contraband strategies will prevent the entry of smuggled items inside the provincial jail, which was raided on February 28.

Authorities recovered 76 cellular phones, including those of a suspected drug personality; 19 medium sachets of shabu worth at least P30,000; cash amounting P92,000; laptop and media players; lighters; and drug paraphernalia.

“The seizure of drugs, voluminous drug paraphernalia, financial documents, bladed weapons and communication devices in the recent greyhound operation have proved that despite being incarcerated, drug personalities continue to find ingenious ways to keep on their illegal drug activities inside our jail facilities,” read the PDEA report.

“The current condition of our jail facility to include the number of staff versus the number of inmates, absence of stricter policies on possession of contraband and other factors greatly affects the effectiveness of the screening process for contraband and illegal substance,” it added.

PDEA said the financial documents found in the detention cell of Alvaro “Barok” Alvaro, now considered as the region's alleged top drug lord,  will be forwarded to the Anti-Money Laundering Council for further investigation.

Aside from penalties and strengthened security measures, PDEA also recommended for the issuance of commendation to personnel who joined the jail raid as a way of boosting their morale and in recognition of their individual efforts.

The CPDRC has a capacity of 1,500 inmates and is currently housing about 2,795 prisoners. (FREEMAN)