RAWALPINDI: After a clash between two groups of prisoners and recovery of mobile phones from the inmates of Adiala jail, an intelligence agency found a gang of drug peddlers who were operating inside the jail in alleged connivance with the staff.

According to a report, the main drug dealer and his front man visit the jail to deliver supplies in collaboration with the jail staff.

The intelligence report, regarding drug peddlers’ activities, was sent to Malik Mohammad Shaukat Feroze, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prisons Rawalpindi region, by the chief minister’s office.

The intelligence report revealed the names of the jail inmates and staff who were involved in drug trafficking inside and outside the jail.

The network included more than seven inmates, including Mazhar Gondal, a convicted prisoner in drug trafficking case, and two under-trial prisoners in drug trafficking case - Waheed Khan and Hamid Shah. Two others under-trial prisoners in murder cases Raja Fakhir and Raja Waqas were also mentioned in the report.

The report said these prisoners had been involved in supplying ice heroin, cocaine and marijuana in alleged connivance with the prison staff.

It said Mazhar Gondal was leading the gang while the inmates were working under his supervision. It said all of them had been earning Rs50,000 each by selling drugs.

He also allegedly paid a share to a jail official while another prisoner supplied ice and cocaine on demand. Two prisoners were his main customers in the jail.

The inmates who used the drug were charged per sniff of ice and cocaine and per cigarette of marijuana, it said, adding the jail official paid a share had spent more than 10 years of his service in Adiala jail.

Six members of the jail staff were also identified in the report. It said there was no checking or body search of the jail personnel who were taking advantage of the situation to take drugs by hiding in undergarments and shoes.

The report said they were involved in the drug dealing and taking bribes by giving a free hand to the convicted criminals to run the drug business in the jail.

The inspector general of prisons has already suspended 11 jail staff, including two assistant superintendents, and launched an investigation.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2021