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The Correctional Services Department was committed to maintaining a drug-free environment for everyone in its custody, a department spokesman said today (January 20).
The spokesman said 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.
His comments followed the case of dangerous drugs swallowed by a remand who later discharged them in his stool.
The remand, surnamed Yiu and aged 54, was admitted to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre on Wednesday (January 18) on a charge of trafficking in a dangerous drug.
Acting on intelligence that Yiu might have swallowed some drugs, department officers moved him to an isolation cell for close observation.
A total of 11 packets of suspected heroin wrapped in plastic sheets were discharged in Yiu's stool twice yesterday and twice today. Yiu claimed to have bought them at a cost of more than $1,500 prior to his admission to the reception centre.
Investigations by the department are continuing into whether Yiu still has more dangerous drugs concealed.
The case has 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, January 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:42
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