Guyana Standard has been reliably informed of an attempt by persons to smuggle 2,275 grammes of marijuana and 12 cartons of cigarettes into the New Amsterdam Prison earlier this month.
A bag containing the items was found by prison officers between May 16 and 17. The attempt is just one of many to have occurred in recent weeks. Prison Director, Nicklon Elliot is now moving to tighten systems at all prisons.
He has warned that members of the public found colluding in trafficking contraband into the various prisons countrywide will be arrested and placed before the courts.
He also disclosed that there were instances when members of the public would throw prohibited items over the prison fences. According to Elliot, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) will be introducing a ‘Stop and Search’ initiative within the confines of each prison location, in a bid to stem the continued flow of contraband been smuggled into the prisons.
Elliot is reminding the public that it is an offence under Section 53 (1) of the Prison Act for persons to throw any item over the prison fence, which attracts a fine or a period of imprisonment.
The Director further indicated that the GPS will be erecting signs at strategic points outside of the prisons, warning the public to desist and the consequences attached to such acts.
Further, the Prison Director also mentioned that the Prison Administration and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be engaging residents living in proximity of the various prisons of the situation.
