Immigration operatives conducted a surprise inspection at the BI jail in Taguig and found online gambling gadgets, cash, and checks from foreign inmates.
The raiding team, headed by BI Intelligence Deputy chief Melody Gonzales said the raid was conducted inside the dormitory of the BI Warden Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where several Chinese nationals were arrested and detained for operating illegal gambling dens in Metro Manila and in Pampanga.
Found during the raid were more than P130,000 in cash, checks, laptops, computer monitors, routers, cellphones, OTPs and flash drives, which the detained foreigners are using to operate a secret online gambling den inside the BI jail.
Also found during the raid were several credit cards used in their illegal activities. The raid inside the BI jail was the second this year, where operatives seized bladed weapons, mobile phones, laptops, DVD players, and other prohibited items.
According to the Office of the Commissioner, the raid on BIWF was prompted by reports that high-profile inmates are running illegal trade behind bars.
The raiding team conducted surveillance operation in the BI Warden Facility for more than two months, which confirmed the illegal online betting activities of the Chinese inside the detention cell.
The raid, aided by K9 units, did not yield illegal drugs but authorities found cash stuffed inside pillows, while the computers were neatly covered by blankets and clothes.
All gadgets recovered from the suspects will be put under forensic examination to gather details on their illegal activities.
The BI ordered an investigation on the smuggling of high-tech gadgets inside the jail.
