BuCor seizes 3,648 kg of shabu and cannabis in anti-drug ops

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced on Monday the confiscation of 3,648 kilograms of shabu and 60.31 grams of cannabis from various prisons and penal farms across the country between October 2023 and present.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. highlighted that these seizures represent a significant effort to curb drug trafficking in correctional facilities intended for rehabilitation rather than criminal activity, emphasizing enhanced monitoring and strict inspection protocols.

Specifically, New Bilibid Prison seized 2166.2705 grams of methamphetamine and 58.6001 grams of cannabis, while Sablayan Prison recovered 26.7488 grams of methamphetamine.

Other prisons such as Leyte Regional Prison and Davao Prison also confiscated smaller amounts of illegal substances, with San Ramon Prison seizing the largest amount at 1032.7887 grams of methamphetamine; no drugs were found at Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm or the Correctional Institution for Women.

Despite these efforts, BuCor acknowledged that challenges remain in preventing the entry of drugs into correctional facilities through rigorous screening procedures, including full-body scanners acquired last year to detect contraband items without invasive searches.

All confiscated substances were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper disposition.