FROM a carved-out bible used to stash a cell phone to containers of fermented wine, a Joint Services raid of the Mazaruni Prison unearthed several illegal items on Tuesday.

The following prohibited items were found: Nails, pepper-sauce, razor blades, lighters, metal spoons, improvised weapons, wires, homemade wine, small transformer, knife, rope, SIM card, USB flash drive, improvised smoking utensils, earpiece, disposable blades and a carved-out bible to house a cellphone.

Acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels had issued a call to all prison warders and officers to desist from trafficking contraband in the prisons, while asking those who are guilty to understand the consequences as the law will take its course. He explained that such actions by the warders only encourage inmates to continue a life of crime and failure. The trade of contraband, while it may seem profitable initially, is bad for the prison environment, he said.

“It is said that once you have compromised yourself by becoming a trafficker, you are not allowed to stop even if you want to stop. I say to you, you have the power to do anything. Therefore, do something good. Do what is right,” Samuels said.