Contraband seized from Metro Manila jails destroyed

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) yesterday destroyed nearly 4,500 prohibited items confiscated from detention facilities in Metro Manila since January  this year.

A total of 517 cell phones, 223 improvised weapons, 342 electronic gadget, 300 lighters, 3,080 cigarette sticks, 14 tattoo paraphernalia and other contraband were destroyed at the BJMP main office  in Quezon City.

The BJMP said mobile phones, which have yet to undergo forensic examination were not destroyed.

A road roller plowed through the contraband confiscated during the implementation of “Oplan Greyhound” operations in 40 jails in the National Capital Region.

BJMP acting director Chief Superintendent Deogracias Tapayan said the moe was in compliance with President Duterte’s directive  to prevent the smuggling of banned items into jails.

At least 475 jails nationwide are under the superision of the BJMP.

“We want detention facilities to be contraband-free to ensure the safety of the inmates and jail personnel,” Tapayan said.

Officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) and Quezon City Police District also attended the ceremonial destruction of the contraband.

No illegal drugs were destroyed as these were immediately turned over to the PDEA, Senior Inspector Xavier Solda, spokesman for the BJMP, said.

Solda said most of the contraband were seized from congested jails in the metropolis.