Press Release

Correctional officers prevent smuggling of dangerous drugs

     The Correctional Services Department takes every measure to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs into correctional institutions and to eradicate their presence there, a department spokesperson said today (July 5).

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

     The comments followed the case of a man on remand swallowing dangerous drugs and later discharging them in his stool.

     The 37-year-old man was admitted to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre yesterday (July 4) on a charge of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

     Acting on information that he might have swallowed some drugs before his admission, department officers placed him in an isolation cell for close observation.
 
     Officers today found in his stool a total of 10 packs of suspected dangerous drugs wrapped in plastic sheets. He remains under observation to ascertain whether more dangerous drugs remain in his body.

     The case has been reported to the Police.

     There were 137 seizures of dangerous drugs in 2010 and 82 up to July 4 this year, with the seizures mainly in the reception centres.

Ends/Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:18

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