Faridkot, Jan 18: Faridkot police and prison officials launched a massive crackdown on illegal smuggling at the Central Modern Jail on Saturday, uncovering a large haul of mobile phones and narcotics. The operation targeted a growing trend of “aerial smuggling,” where outsiders toss prohibited items over the prison walls to inmates waiting inside.
Authorities focused their initial search on Block No. 3, specifically targeting Barrack Nos. 3 and 4. During this sweep, they discovered eight mobile phones, including four touchscreen models. Police have formally named several undertrials in the subsequent criminal cases, including Pavandeep Singh, Peter Masih, Preet Singh, Kamal Singh, Liara Masih, and Shiva.
A broader sweep of the prison grounds led to the discovery of 15 suspicious packets scattered across the premises. These bundles contained a wide array of contraband, including 151 grams of a suspected narcotic substance, 36 tobacco packets, 24 bundles of beedis, and 18 boxes of cigarettes. Electronic accessories such as headphones, chargers, and mobile batteries were also recovered.
The method of delivery has become a primary concern for jail management. Smugglers typically wrap the items in cushioned materials to prevent damage upon landing and aim for specific, pre-determined spots within the yard.
“The sniffer dogs are stationed at entry gates, but the contraband is now flying in from above,” a prison official said while describing the difficulty of intercepting these tossed packages.
In response to the security breach, SSP Pragya Jain has ordered all police stations and SHOs to update their records of residents living in the immediate vicinity of the jail. Local homeowners are now required to notify the police before renting out their properties, as officials suspect nearby buildings are being used as launch points for the smuggling operations.
SSP Jain noted that these coordinated surprise inspections will become a permanent fixture of their security protocol.
“These checks send a clear message that illegal activities inside or around the jail will not go undetected or unpunished,” she said.
