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The Correctional Services Department (CSD) was committed to maintaining a drug-free environment to all people in its custody, a spokesperson for the department said today (June 8).
Every measure was taken by the CSD to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs into, and to eradicate any presence of them in, correctional institutions, he said.
The spokesperson's comments followed a case of dangerous drugs swallowed by a prisoner who later discharged them in his stool.
The 49-year-old prisoner, surnamed To, was admitted to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (LCKRC) on Monday (June 5) on charges of theft and possession of dangerous drug. He was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment.
Acting on intelligence that To might have swallowed some drugs, CSD officers put him to an isolation cell for close observation.
A total of 12 packets of suspected Dormicum wrapped in plastic sheets were discharged in To's stool yesterday and today. To claimed to have bought and swallowed them before his admission to LCKRC.
Investigations by the CSD into whether more dangerous drugs are still concealed in To are continuing.
The case has been reported to the Police.
The spokesperson said the total number of seizures of dangerous drugs in 2005 was 88, with the seizures mainly in the reception centres.
Ends/Thursday, June 8, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:42
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