The drugs and contraband items that were found at the New Amsterdam Prison
The Guyana Police Force are investigating the recent discovery of over 4 kilograms of marijuana at the New Amsterdam Prison in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
According to a report from the Police headquarters, a party of ranks went to the New Amsterdam Prison at about 20:00h on Saturday, and while there, a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be Cannabis sativa was found in seven bottles and eight parcels along with several lighters.
Police said the narcotic was weighed and amounted to 4245 grams.
In recent times, the Guyana Prison Service has been grappling with the challenge of narcotics being smuggled into prisons. Less than a month ago, a 21-year-old woman attempted to smuggle 106 grams of marijuana into the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown.
The 21-year-old woman, a security guard of C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was apprehended at the prison, where she had gone to deliver the item to an inmate. The drug was found in the soles of sneakers.
In response to the incident, the Prison Service and the Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, announced a series of measures to curb the smuggling of contraband into prison facilities. Tightening security protocols, increasing surveillance, and deploying advanced detection technologies are among the strategies being implemented to prevent the infiltration of illegal items into prisons.
Minister Benn emphasised the importance of these efforts, stating, “People are finding more innovative ways to smuggle things into prisons… It has been a longstanding issue, but these incidents have significantly reduced, thanks to the measures we’ve put in place.”
These proactive measures are part of a broader initiative aimed at creating a more secure environment within prison walls, ensuring the safety and integrity of correctional facilities. (G9)
