THE new leadership of the Manila City Jail (MCJ) has confiscated 64 cell phones and foiled an attempt by inmates to smuggle in reams of cigarettes using the backdoor.

Cellular phones and cigarettes are considered as contraband or banned items inside jails along with drugs, bladed weapons and pornographic materials.

In just a month of command, newly designated warden Supt. Lyndon Torres said that a series of greyhound operations and dialogues yielded positive results wherein inmates voluntarily surrendered their items.

Some inmates even tipped off the presence of undeclared mobile units and drugs in other cells.

Alert guards also confiscated 25 reams of cigarettes (19 Marlboro and 6 Fortune brands).

Since gaters are stricter in implementing house rules, visitors had no chance in slipping in the cigarette packs.

“Inihagis na lang galing sa labas at bumagsak malapit sa isang selda, kaya lang nakita ng ating mga tower guards,” Torres said.

The MCJ is surrounded by illegal settlers whose residences are already in the facility’s fence.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Officer-in-Charge Chief Supt. Diony Mamaril said in an earlier interview that cigarettes are expensive in jails with its prices range from P10 to P80 per stick.

And with the approval of the Sin Tax Bill, cigarettes would be a “hot commodity’ in every facility.

“Maaaring sinubukan lang nilang maghagis para sa susunod marami na ang ipapasok,” Torres said.