Drug peddlers’ ring unearthed in Adiala Jail

Sessions judge visits facility, orders release of 10 petty criminals

RAWALPINDI:

An intelligence agency submitted a report mentioning a network of drug traffickers in the Adiala jail to the Punjab government the other day, a spokesperson said.

A large-scale search operation was conducted in the central jail after a brawl between two groups of inmates, unearthing prohibited items such as cellphones from their possession.

The report contains the names of inmates and jail officials involved in the smuggling of drugs and other illegal activities. It stated that the supply network of drugs is run by seven convicts inside Adiala jail with alleged collusion of the staff.

The intelligence report pointed out that an inmate, Mazhar, was part of an international drug racket and manages the drug supply inside the prison. He earns about Rs50,000 a month and is said to pay a share of his earnings to jail officials while other elements highlighted in the report supply drugs to inmates.

A man named Gulab, hailing from the Pir Wadhai area, was identified as the source of the drugs to the jail which were delivered to inmates by the frontman with the help of the jail staff. The intelligence report also stated the names of six staffers who assist the dealers and take bribes from them, enabling drug trafficking in the jail.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Additional District and Sessions Judge Malik Asif visited Adiala Jail, accompanied by the magistrate, and ordered the release of 10 petty criminals. The judge visited different sections of the prison such as the kitchen and expressed satisfaction with the cleanliness and facilities being provided to the inmates.

Adiala Jail Superintendent Chaudhry Asghar Aijaz briefed the judges about the daily affairs of the officials. They also reviewed female and juvenile wards as well as the jail hospital and inquired about problems faced by inmates, directing the superintendent to resolve them.

Previously, 11 staff members of Adiala Jail were suspended following the incident of recovery of prohibited items from the inmates during a search operation conducted on Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2021.