Authorities thwarted an attempt by a female visitor to smuggle suspected illegal drugs into the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) disclosed on Wednesday.

BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. disclosed that Rovelyn Fabillar, a registered visitor of inmate Lester Martin Ramos, was accosted Tuesday after she was found in possession of suspected shabu concealed in her private part.

The contraband was wrapped in a condom and placed inside a transparent plastic.

Catapang said the alleged drugs were discovered during a routine security inspection of visitors at the inmate visiting services unit-Maximum Security Compound, adding that BuCor personnel noticed irregularities in Fabillar’s abdomen.

Catapang stressed that the incident underscores the importance of enhanced security measures at correctional facilities, particularly concerning drug smuggling attempts.

Last year, BuCor acquired two advanced full-body scanners capable of detecting items ingested or hidden under clothing, including concealed contraband inside visitors’ bodies. The technology aims to streamline the security process, reducing the need for invasive strip searches and manual cavity checks, which can be uncomfortable and time-consuming for both visitors and personnel.

Catapang said the implementation of such measures is vital in maintaining the integrity of facility operations and ensuring that illegal substances do not enter the prison environment.

He added that the successful interception of this attempt marks a proactive step by BuCor in combating drug smuggling and preserving safety and order within the prison system.

Fabillar was turned over to the Muntinlupa police, and the confiscated items were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition.