EDITORIAL - More drug operations in jails

In an editorial not too long ago, we wrote about how our prisons should not be a haven for criminals, especially those who are running drug syndicates.

However, until now it seems this is still the case after a report by the police that between 70% to 80% of people they arrested for selling drugs claim to have received instructions from people in jail.

Cebu City Police Office-City Intelligence Unit chief, Police Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, said one suspect said middlemen now facilitate dealings between the suppliers in the jail and the sellers outside. How big and sophisticated have drug operations from jail become that they now need more people like middlemen?

Instead of becoming a place for rehabilitation, our jail have sometimes become nerve central for some criminal operations. Just last May 6, a million pesos worth of shabu was seized from an inmate. Some of them also have unfettered access to communication devices and the internet while they are supposed to be in detention.

As to how banned items seem to always find their way into our jails and as to why some inmates can do as they please is anyone’s guess. But considering who is supposed to have power over the inmates in the jail and who is supposed to have full control of how the facility is run, it might be obvious what everyone’s guess is.

The police should conduct more operations against drugs, but instead of targeting shanties and drug dens where drugs is being sold by small fry or used by addicts, perhaps they should focus on the jails where those who run and direct drug operations feel safe. Perhaps because they know it’s the one place the police would never care to look.

Police Regional Office-7 director, Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo, said that they are coordinating with Cebu City Jail management to address these claims by drug suspects. Let’s see if this coordination produces results.