Contraband hidden in body cavities

SUVA – The swallowing and smuggling of drugs and mobile phones through body cavities continue to challenge the Fiji Corrections Service.

Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Ifereimi Vasu said the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras had helped them in their fight against contraband in corrections facilities but hadn’t solved the problem completely.

“That’s the challenge that we’re facing and that’s where we’re concentrating now, but it’s unfortunate that CCTV can’t cover all places like the toilets where we give them their privacy and that’s where they use the contrabands,” Lt Col Vasu said.

The cameras detect inmates trying to get contraband out of their systems while in their dorms.

Lt Col Vasu said they would start pressing their stomachs with it sometimes taking at least a day for the inmates to get the swallowed items out of their systems”.

“It’s quite complicated that’s why in some places overseas they use the body scanner,” Lt Col Vasu said in regards to smuggling through body cavities.

He said there was an instance where two cell phones were found on one inmate.

Correction Services public relations officer Kuini Waqasavou said the CCTV cameras assisted in detecting a variety of suspicious behaviours.

“CCTV is a means of identification and facilitating the co-ordination of response to incidents, gathering evidence and improving security.It is a means of detecting and preventing highly suspicious behaviours such as contraband entering the facilities, self-harm, suicides or escapes,” Waqasavou said.

She said the installation of these cameras “greatly improved” their services as “they are our eyes and ears into the cells and dormitories”.

Waqasavou said those caught with contraband items got segregated or disciplined.