New Bilibid Prison. INQUIRER.net file photo
From sugar gliders seized in a raid two weeks ago, authorities from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) on Wednesday netted gladiator spiders used by inmates to place bets.
NBP Superintendent Richard Schwarzkopf Jr. said the 30th “Oplan Galugad” operation was conducted at the medium security compound where authorities seized a sachet and an aluminum foil, knives, improvised shot gun or “sumpak” and several lead pipe.
Authorities also recovered several gladiator spiders that they suspect the inmates may be using to place bets.
The official said spiders are not prohibited per se, however, Bureau of Correction (BuCor) personnel confiscated them for fear that inmates are using them for illegal gambling.
Sources at the national penitentiary said inmates placed bets on spider gambling from P2,000 to as high as P10, 000.
The raiding team also checked the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) for any contraband items.
The RDC is the place where authorities receive, study, classify and orient all national prisoners committed by final judgment of the court to the NBP.
Schwarzkopf said there is a steady decline of seized contrabands since the first Oplan Galugad on November last year.
He said they would continue with the operations until they get rid of all contraband items inside the NBP.
The Oplan Galugad operations are being supplemented by smaller operations to keep up the pressure on inmates to stop their illegal activities. RAM
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