Press Release

Correctional staff prevent smuggling of dangerous drugs

     Officers of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) found a total of 18 tablets of suspected dangerous drugs in the stool of two inmates and swiftly prevented the smuggling of dangerous drugs into correctional institutions.

     At about 2.20pm today (March 4), officers of Tai Lam Centre for Women found 11 tablets wrapped in plastic from the stool of a 40-year-old female inmate, who was remanded to the Centre yesterday (March 3) for an offence of trafficking in dangerous drugs.

     The second seizure was made at about 7.10am yesterday when officers of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre found two tablets of suspected dangerous drugs wrapped in plastic from the bedpan used by a 35-year-old male inmate.

     The inmate later reported unwell and was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment.

     At about 5.40pm, CSD staff found another five tablets of suspected dangerous drugs wrapped in plastic from the inmate's bedpan.

     The inmate was remanded to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre on a charge of trafficking in dangerous drugs on March 2, when a total of 16 tablets of suspected dangerous drugs wrapped in plastic were already seized from his stool.

     The two inmates are under observation to ascertain whether more dangerous drugs remain in their body.

     The cases have been reported to the Police.

     The spokesperson said, "The department takes every measure to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs into correctional institutions and to eradicate their presence there. We are committed to maintaining a drug-free environment for all people in its custody."

     There were 125 seizures of dangerous drugs in 2011 and 34 this year to date.  Most seizures were made in reception centres.

Ends/Sunday, March 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:19

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