Sibling’s drug-smuggling bid puts jailed brod in hot water

By Paulo DS Papa

A person deprived of liberty (PDL) at the Naga City District Jail may face tougher conditions after his brother was caught attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the facility.

The Naga City Police Office identified the suspect as Joe, 25, a resident of Barangay Cararayan, Naga City, who allegedly tried to bring in two sachets of suspected shabu worth P54,400 on the morning of Saturday, January 10.

The illegal drugs were discovered concealed in Joe’s underwear during a routine body search conducted by a jail officer as he was about to enter the facility as a visitor.

Jail Chief Insp. Ralph Vincent Bobis, acting warden of the Naga City District Jail, said the suspect was attempting to visit his detained brother when the smuggling attempt was foiled.

Bobis declined to disclose the identity of the PDL, citing confidentiality rules, but revealed that the inmate’s case is not new.

He added that sometime in 2024, the inmate’s mother also attempted to smuggle illegal drugs into the jail but was apprehended. However, her case was later dismissed, leading to her release.

Asked about possible sanctions against the PDL, Bobis said the inmate is now under investigation to determine whether he had prior knowledge of or participation in the smuggling attempt.

“If proven that he was involved or aware of the plan, his privileges as a PDL may be revoked, including his Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), which could amount to as much as six months,” Bobis said. He added that the inmate may also be barred from receiving visitors.