A 33-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested after trying to smuggle two sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," inside a kilo of pork in Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) on Sunday afternoon, January 29.
MOPJ warden Dominador Tagarda identified the suspect as Vicenta Torres from Macabalan village, Cagayan de Oro City.
Tagarda said the item was said to be intended for inmates Loloy and Jboy Bahian but was intercepted by two jail guards, Dante Estrada and Michael Ybanez.
"Maglisod na sila palusot kay well-trained ang mga guards unsaon pag-intercept sa mga contraband (They will have a hard time putting it inside because our guards are well-trained in intercepting contrabands)," Tagarda said.
The warden said the jail guards will have to explain why Torres was allowed to deliver goods when it is prohibited during weekends. He added that the jail guards on duty accepted the items out of mercy.
"Ang patakaran gyud, dili modawat sa Sabado and Sunday ug sa workdays pud beyond 3 p.m. Sumala sa mga guard, nalooy daw sila so ato silang ipa-explain (The rule is we don’t accept goods on Saturdays and Sundays and on weekdays beyond 3 p.m. The guards pitied the woman so they will have to explain)," Tagarda said.
The MOPJ chief said the Provincial Capitol has been steadfast in providing basic needs in the jail facility especially food.
"Makapalit man ta sa pagkaon. Giatiman mana sila nga dili magutman. Ambot og accomplishment ba to dili. Mag-memo ta sa jail guards aron matubag nila (We can buy food. They (prisoners) are being taken care of so they won't get hungry. I don't know if it was an accomplishment or not. We'll give a memo to the jail guards so they can answer it)," Tagarda said.
Torres is legally liable for possession of illegal drugs while the two inmates who are supposed to receive the items will be isolated, Tagarda said.
Tagarda also said the two inmates were imprisoned for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Tagarda added that Torres, who is currently detained at Maharlika detention cell, might have been ordered to bring the illegal drugs to MOPJ.
The MOPJ has been drug and smoke free since this month but Tagarda said the facility will not put their guard down to drug couriers who try to bring in contraband inside the jail facility.