Woman smuggles P.1-M shabu ?into Navotas jail

MANILA, Philippines — A woman was arrested as she tried to smuggle P100,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu into the Navotas City Jail on Friday.

The shabu was found in the secret pocket of Avegail Umali’s shoulder bag as she went to the jail to visit her partner, detainee Reginal Jacobe, according to jail warden Chief Inspector Ricky Heart Pegalan.

Umali looked uneasy when authorities frisked her, Pegalan said. She grabbed her bag when authorities checked her belongings before discovering the shabu inside a hidden pocket, he added.

She will be charged with possession of illegal drugs. Pegalan said he has also ordered an investigation into the smuggling and sale of drugs in the city jail.

Navotas City Jail used to be the country’s most congested jail at 2,400 percent but the congestion rate was reduced to 730 percent with the opening of a jail annex last March.

The new jail annex, housed in the city’s former social welfare office, effectively reduced the present congestion rate of 2,413.16 percent to 737.8 percent.