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The Correctional Services Department was committed to maintaining a drug-free environment to all persons in its custody, a department spokesman said today (June 16).
Every measure was taken by the department to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs into, and to eradicate any presence of them in, correctional institutions, he said.
His comments followed the cases of dangerous drugs swallowed by two remands at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (LKCRC) and Tai Lam Centre for Women (TLCW) who later discharged them in their stools.
The 42-year-old male remand, surnamed Yeung, was admitted to LKCRC on June 12 on a charge of trafficking in a dangerous drug. A total of 14 packets of suspected heroin and dormicum wrapped in plastic sheets were discharged in Yeung's stool twice today.
The 54-year-old female remand, surnamed Kwong, was admitted to TLCW on June 14 on a charge of trafficking in a dangerous drug. A total of six packets of suspected heroin wrapped in plastic straws were seized from her last night and this morning.
Acting on intelligence that both of them might have swallowed some drugs, CSD officers put them in isolation cells for close observation.
Investigations by the CSD into whether more dangerous drugs are still concealed in their bodies are continuing.
Both cases have been reported to the Police.
The spokesman said the total number of seizures of dangerous drugs in 2005 was 88, with the seizures mainly in the reception centres.
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:08
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