Press Release

Drugs seized from inmates in correctional institutions

The Correctional Services Department took every measure to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs into correctional institutions, and to eradicate their presence there, a department spokesperson said today (September 14).

"The department is committed to maintaining a drug-free environment for all people in its custody", the spokesperson said.

His comments followed two cases in which correctional officers found dangerous drugs concealed by a female remand at Tai Lam Centre for Women (TLCW) and another inmate at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (LCKRC) in the past two days (September 12 and 13).

The first case involved a 32-year-old remand, who was admitted to TLCW on September 5 on a charge of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

Acting on information that the remand, surnamed Kan, might have swallowed some dangerous drugs before her admission, CSD officers put her in an isolation cell for close observation. Officers found in her stool in the past two days a total of 10 tablets of suspected heroin and halcion wrapped in plastic sheets. 

The second case involved a 52-year-old remand, surnamed Tse, who was admitted to LCKRC on September 11 on a charge of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Two tablets of suspected heroin wrapped in plastic sheets were discharged in Tse's stool yesterday (September 13).

The cases have been reported to the Police. Investigations by CSD continue.
 
There were 93 seizures of dangerous drugs last year and 134 this year up to yesterday, with the seizures mainly in reception centres.

Ends/Monday, September 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 10:43

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