BJMP destroys 1,000 contrabands

CEBU, Philippines — More than 1,000 different contrabands confiscated during random greyhound operations in major jail facilities in Central Visayas were destroyed by the operatives of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – 7 yesterday as part of its 27th anniversary celebration.

Among the contrabands destroyed were at least 327 cellphones, mobile phone accessories, drug paraphernalia, improvised bladed weapons, tobacco leaves, cigarettes and strings believed to be used by the inmates in fishing contrabands outside the jail.

BJMP-7 Director Chief Superintendent Arnold Buenacosa said that there were no illegal drugs destroyed yesterday since all illegal drugs found from the inmates were immediately turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“Iyung mga contrabands kasi tulad ng illegal drugs ay tinurn-over sa PDEA, sila na bahala doon kasi we are not allowed to dispose of contrabands such drugs. Only PDEA (can dispose),” Buenacosa said.

The destroyed contrabands were accumulated from Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, and Mandaue City since November up to the present.

Buenacosa assured these will be dispose of in an appropriate and environmentally safe manner.

He also assured that any BJMP personnel caught conniving with the inmates or visitors in sneaking contraband inside the facilities will face charges.

“Intensified na ang ating operation sa piitan. Kung napapansin niyo ay puro negative na ang result ng ating Operation Linis Piitan wala na masyadong mga contrabands sa mga nakuha sa facilities,” Buenacosa added.

Mandaue City Jail

Meanwhile, several sharp items were confiscated inside Mandaue City Jail yesterday morning during the joint greyhound operation of Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) and BJMP - Mandaue.

Some 17 ballpens, two pencils, three disposable razors, eight nail cutters, three pieces of puller, two pairs of scissors, a compact mirror, a piece of wood, a string and two barbecue sticks were seized during the operation.

Also confiscated were ten disposable lighters.  There was no shabu found according Senior Inspector James Conaco of MCPO-Station 5.

In the Cebu City Jail Male Dormitory, improvised weapons and other contrabands were confiscated during the Oplan Linis Piitan conducted by BJMP-7, Cebu City Jail, Guadalupe Police and PDEA.

Among the items confiscated were various improvised bladed weapons, four cellular phones and chargers, improvised ropes, pieces of wood and playing cards.

Supt. Renante Rubio, jail warden, said they started the operation at 4:30 a.m. and was completed after three hours.

The operation was part of simultaneous Oplan Linis Piitan as part of the celebration for the 27th anniversary of BJMP.

“Negative ta sa drugs. This is the third time karun nga nag pahigayon ta og Oplan Linis Piitan nga nag negative ta permi sa drugs,” Rubio said.

According to Rubio, the inmates cooperated during the operation. They pledged to the jail warden that they will support the anti-drugs operation of the Cebu City Jail and BJMP. — Carl James T. Cabarles (FREEMAN)