Improvised weapons, ganja found during N/A Prison raid

A Joint Services operation was on Saturday conducted at New Amsterdam Prison during which a quantity of contraband items was unearthed.
The search lasted for about two hours and was done in various sections of the penitentiary.

The items found were nine cell phones, one GT&T SIM card, a quantity of cigarettes, 11 lighters, one smoking utensil, nine improvised weapons, one pair of scissors, four metal spoons, one bucket of fermented wine, four bottles of processed wine and 282 grams of cannabis.
In May 2022, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) had introduced a “Stop and Search” initiative within the confines of each prison location, in a bid to end the continued flow of contraband being smuggled into the prisons.
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot had warned members of the public who are found colluding in trafficking contraband into the various prisons countrywide that they will be arrested and placed before the courts.
He reminded 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.
Elliot indicated that the GPS will be erecting signs at strategic points outside of the prisons, warning the public to desist and the consequences attach to such an act.
Furthermore, the Prison Director also mentioned that the Prison Administration and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), will be engaging residents living in close proximity to the various prisons of the situation.
Further, he added that a built-up civilian population living in close proximity to the prisons would have contributed to the increased contraband items being smuggled into the prions.
Meanwhile, the latest efforts from members of the public to smuggle contraband into a prison were thwarted by prison officers attached to the New Amsterdam Prison on May 16 and 17 last.
A bag containing 2275 grams of narcotics and 12 cartons of cigarettes was retrieved and handed over to the Police.
Nevertheless, back in January 2023, Sarafine Pitt of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), a female prison officer, was charged after 604 grams of marijuana was discovered in the guard hut at the New Amsterdam Prison. Bail was granted to her in the sum of $100,000 after she denied the charge.