Smuggling attempts foiled

15 January, 2020

The Fiji Corrections Service is issuing yet another stern warning to civilians against throwing of contrabands over prison walls and fences or dropping it off at the cemeteries where inmates a posted to work daily.

This follows yet another foiled attempt to smuggle illegal contrabands into the Suva Remand Center this week with a throw-in which was immediately caught by guards on duty.

Also recently, two persons were caught by officers trying to drop off illegal items to inmates at the Nasinu Cemetary and have since been handed over to Police to be dealt with.

Assistant Commissioner of Corrections Senior Superintendent Tui Saladoka said while prisoners themselves go to extreme lengths to smuggle items in, it was sad to see that civilians are also taking the risk themselves.

The latest incident occurred yesterday with a 20-year old woman, caught red handed trying to smuggle illegal contraband into the Suva Remand Center.

“I am reminding all members of the public to refrain from these illegal activities,’’ SSUPT Saladoka stated.

“We implore the general public to assist us in apprehending these culprits because what they are doing is counter-productive to the work we are doing at Corrections in trying to rehabilitate those under our care.”

SSUPT Saladoka further stated that the Fiji Corrections Service have implemented security measures in place to detect contraband items on prisoners or persons entering the facilities with the use of electronic body scanners and CCTV.

SSUPT Saladoka urged members of the public to assist the FCS in its operations by reporting such illegal activities.

Under the Corrections Act a person who is caught trying to smuggle in contrabands into prison or is caught trying to hand over illegal items to inmates faces jail time of 6-months or a fine of $2,000.

Members of the public can report in suspicious incidents by calling the following numbers 9905086, 9905205 or for issues at the Cemetary 9905 555.

The Fiji Corrections Service is issuing yet another stern warning to civilians against throwing of contrabands over prison walls and fences or dropping it off at the cemeteries where inmates a posted to work daily.

This follows yet another foiled attempt to smuggle illegal contrabands into the Suva Remand Center this week with a throw-in which was immediately caught by guards on duty.

Also recently, two persons were caught by officers trying to drop off illegal items to inmates at the Nasinu Cemetary and have since been handed over to Police to be dealt with.

Assistant Commissioner of Corrections Senior Superintendent Tui Saladoka said while prisoners themselves go to extreme lengths to smuggle items in, it was sad to see that civilians are also taking the risk themselves.

The latest incident occurred yesterday with a 35-year old lady, caught red handed trying to smuggle illegal contraband into the Suva Remand Center.

“I am reminding all members of the public to refrain from these illegal activities,’’ SSUPT Saladoka stated.

“We implore the general public to assist us in apprehending these culprits because what they are doing is counter-productive to the work we are doing at Corrections in trying to rehabilitate those under our care.”

SSUPT Saladoka further stated that the Fiji Corrections Service have implemented security measures in place to detect contraband items on prisoners or persons entering the facilities with the use of electronic body scanners and CCTV.

SSUPT Saladoka urged members of the public to assist the FCS in its operations by reporting such illegal activities.

Under the Corrections Act a person who is caught trying to smuggle in contrabands into prison or is caught trying to hand over illegal items to inmates faces jail time of 6 months or a fine of $2,000.

Members of the public can report in suspicious incidents by calling the following numbers 9905086, 9905205 or for issues at the Cemetary 9905 555.