ILOILO City — Alleged illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered during a joint greyhound operation at two jail facilities in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo on Monday morning, September 14, as authorities tightened efforts to prevent contraband from circulating inside detention facilities.
The operation at the Iloilo District Jail-Male Dormitory (IDJ-MD) and its annex was conducted by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region 6 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 6, with assistance from police K-9 units.
BJMP-6 director Jail Chief Supt. Elena B. Rocamora said the operation was part of the bureau’s continuing effort to maintain drug-free and secure jail facilities.
“We have to continuously conduct greyhound operations because our priority is to make sure that the jail remains safe, secure and free from prohibited items, particularly illegal drugs,” Rocamora said.
The operation involved 10 K-9 dogs, including a newly deployed K-9 unit from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
The IDJ-Male Dormitory currently houses about 1,500 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), while another 775 PDLs are detained at the annex.
Rocamora said the search was followed by random drug testing conducted inside the cells by PDEA-6.
During the operation and subsequent testing, authorities recovered approximately three grams of suspected shabu valued at P20,400, along with drug paraphernalia.
Authorities placed the total amount of suspected illegal drugs seized at approximately three grams, with an estimated street value of P20,400.
Rocamora emphasized that the discovery underscores the need for sustained inspections and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
“This is not something that we will do only once. We have to be consistent because our objective is to prevent prohibited items from entering the facility and, at the same time, to identify those who may still be involved in illegal activities inside,” she said.
The greyhound operation was conducted in coordination with PDEA-6 director Ralph Rommel D. Torres, who personally joined the activity.
Rocamora said the participation of PDEA and the police K-9 unit strengthens the BJMP’s capability to detect prohibited items concealed inside the facilities.
All confiscated items were turned over to PDEA-6 for proper documentation, disposition and possible legal action.
The BJMP-6 chief emphasized that security measures inside jails must remain stringent not only for the protection of PDLs and jail personnel but also for the surrounding community./PN
