GPS warns public of serious consequences for smuggling contraband into facility

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has issued a strong warning to members of the public after an 18-year-old woman was recently caught attempting to smuggle contraband into a prison facility.

The issue was addressed during the first 2026 episode of Prisons in Focus, the monthly televised programme of the GPS, where senior prison officials cautioned citizens against facilitating illegal activity. Two days ago, a young woman was arrested after she was found with three packs of cannabis while at the New Amsterdam Prison. The 18-year-old is from Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice. The drugs were retrieved after a search was conducted by the prison officers. The item was found in two Gillette deodorants for men, wrapped in a black plastic bag, in her handbag. The smuggling attempt prompted the Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot to emphasise that smuggling contraband into a correctional facility is an offence that has serious consequences. He called on civilians to recognise the dangers they place themselves, society, inmates and officers in by engaging in the trade of contraband within the prison walls. However, Assistant Director of Prisons Olivia Cox, while on the programme, said the Service has observed significant commentary on social media regarding the incident and stressed that many persons claim ignorance when caught. “Just like your relatives will tell you when you’re going to the airport, do not hold anything, do not take anything from anyone,” Cox said. She explained that in many cases, individuals report that they were unaware of the contents of items they were asked to deliver.
“Majority of the stories with persons who come in and who are caught… take for example the young lady who’s only 18, we have situations where persons say, listen, I was going away, and my neighbour asked me to just drop this off at a prison for me.” According to Cox, individuals often believe they are simply assisting someone, only to find themselves facing serious consequences after prison security checks uncover prohibited items. “And in their mind, they’re assisting and so they come, bring it, just go with your ID card, drop it and tell them the prisoner’s name. And so, when the items are searched, they’re caught.” She warned that persons who knowingly attempt to smuggle contraband risk imprisonment themselves.
“You’re only going to put yourself behind bars with those persons. You’re no good being behind bars with them.” Assistant Superintendent of Prisons and Head of Prison Training, Abeid Decunta, reinforced the warning, urging the public not to enable negative behaviour. “Do not, under any circumstances, empower those changes, the negative changes,” Dikuna said. He added that members of the public must avoid supporting addictions or unlawful habits among inmates. “We don’t want persons to encourage and empower the negative changes by supporting habits.” Decunta further stressed that the Prison Service maintains strict security protocols and illegal items will be detected. “We have multiple layers of security that persons who are visiting the prison must pass through. And anything illegal will be found.” The officials urged members of the public to refrain from accepting packages from third parties and to verify the contents of any items before attempting to deliver them to prison facilities.