Shabu, marijuana found in Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines: Authorities recovered during the first quarter of the year 711.76 grams of shabu and 13.54 grams of marijuana inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

The drugs were either seized from inmates or found abandoned in the facility.

From January to March this year, the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) said that a series of «Oplan Galugad» resulted in the confiscation of contraband including cash, tobacco, and mobile phones.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. admitted that despite the stringent measures in place, the smuggling of illegal drugs, Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs) and drug paraphernalia continues.

Catapang said that 70 to 80 percent of the more than 52,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) nationwide are incarcerated due to their involvement in drug-related cases.

He said that collaboration with other government agencies is crucial in resolving the complex issues of drug use and trafficking in BuCor facilities.

On Monday, the BuCor inaugurated the office and barracks of the inter-agency collaborative groups (IACG) that will pave the way for the synchronization of an anti-illegal drug campaign in and out of state prison facilities and penal farms.

The inauguration took place after a short delay due to bidding requirements for the procurement of the needed equipment.

«We are all set now to work together with the common goal of solving illicit drug activities and financially disabling those behind it and paralyzing them from further engaging in the trafficking of illegal drugs,» Catapang said.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed by the BuCor with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation, an operations center will be established inside the NBP to efficiently carry out the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the IACG and to properly execute and implement the provisions of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.