Woman arrested for attempting to smuggle SIM cards into Camp Street prison
A 29-year-old Georgetown woman is expected to face the court soon after she was caught attempting to smuggle nine SIM cards into the Camp Street Prison for her incarcerated friend.
Shevaghn Samuels holding the SIM cards which were discovered by prison officers
The suspect, Shevaghn Samuels of Lot 11 Hogg Street, Albouystown, was arrested on Monday morning after prison officers discovered the concealed SIM cards during a routine security search.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred around 09:15h while Samuels was delivering items for her imprisoned friend, Ray Smith. During the inspection of the items, officers found the SIM cards hidden inside a tube of Colgate toothpaste, an apparent attempt to bypass standard security checks.
Following the discovery, Samuels was handed over to the police and is expected to be charged shortly.
In response to the incident, Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot issued a stern warning to members of the public, cautioning against the smuggling of contraband into correctional facilities.
Elliot emphasised that such acts not only jeopardise the safety of prison staff and inmates but also threaten the overall integrity of the prison system. He further noted that individuals found guilty of such offences face serious legal consequences.
Just a few months ago, Deondray Clarke, a 25-year-old prison officer from Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, was released on $100,000 bail after being charged with attempting to introduce cannabis into the Lusignan Prison, located on the East Coast of Demerara.
The arrest was carried out by officers from the Vigilance Police Station. Clarke is accused of violating Section 7(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10, following an alleged discovery of 28.4 grams of marijuana in his possession at the correctional facility.
These incidents unfolds as the Guyana Prison Service intensifies its crackdown on the infiltration of contraband into prisons.
Despite tighter security protocols and increased technological monitoring, authorities continue to deal with repeated attempts to smuggle prohibited items like drugs and mobile phones into the prison system.
