Speedy raids in prison essential to halting drug transactions

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) says it is essential to conduct swift prison raids, especially of cell phones, to minimize the chances of inmates discarding cell phones prior to the raids.

Inmates, such as those in narcotics prisons, have been known to continue dealing drugs from within prison with the aid of cell phones.

BNN head Gories Mere said the procedures for such raids needed to be outlined in a standard operating procedure (SOP) between the agency and the Law and Human Rights Ministry, which oversees prisons.

"This standard operating procedure is necessary to reveal the masterminds [of the operations]," he said.

"In fact, these [phones] are material evidence," he said, adding that cell phones could provide evidence on drug transactions.

He added that the agency and ministry needed to cooperate on mapping prisons to detect operating drug syndicates.

"There are also preparations for therapy and rehabilitation in prisons not only for drug abuse, but for those with HIV/AIDS," he said.