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- The torments of greed: what is most often secretly transferred to colonies and pre-trial detention centers
The torments of greed: what is most often secretly transferred to colonies and pre-trial detention centers
On the eve of the New Year holidays and after them, employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia traditionally note a surge in attempts to deliver prohibited items to institutions of the penal system. Seizures of mobile phones, alcohol, drugs and other illegal goods, as the inmates themselves call it, are reported from different regions of the country. Izvestia analyzed the data and compiled a rating of the "festive assortment" of prison contraband.
New Year's set
An analysis of the FSIN news shows that the most in demand among the illegal market inside the colonies are communications, entertainment, and mind-altering substances.
Gadgets are the "No. 1 currency" in the zones and in the pre—trial detention center. The absolute leaders in the number of seizures are mobile phones and accessories. In North Ossetia, 14 devices, chargers and headphones were found in the cases of electric kettles. In Vladivostok, a lawyer tried to carry seven phones, SIM cards and chargers in a double-bottomed backpack. In another case, a whole arsenal of five phones, a router and cables was hidden behind the dashboard in a garbage truck serving the colony.
The second largest number of attempts to bring or throw into the territory of colonies and pre—trial detention centers are "highs" - from alcohol to drugs. For example, in the Tver region, a half-liter bottle of alcoholic tincture was found in a grocery transfer.
Double prohibition
"Drugs and potent drugs are disguised in products and medical packages," a source in the FSIN department told Izvestia. — In my practice, there was a case when they tried to transfer several grams of heroin to a prisoner by hiding the substances in the curved metal "tail" of a tube of ointment. In another case, we intercepted a shipment of hashish hidden in homemade pies.
However, the prisoners expect more than just intoxication. Anabolic steroids are very popular — the fact is that many convicts in the colonies actively engage in sports and resort to doping.
"They try to disguise such substances as legal pills, but during the inspection, doctors and staff of the surgical unit make sure that the technological packaging is not violated — this avoids possible substitution," said a source in the FSIN department.
A little less often, department employees deal with weapons and various kinds of electronics — there are attempts to bring cold steel, blades, electronic cigarettes and flash drives hidden in clothes or cigarette packs.
Delivery from outside
A former FSIN operative told Izvestia about the tricks used by accomplices of prisoners on the outside to deliver prohibited substances and objects to colonies and isolation cells. According to him, food is no longer in short supply today thanks to legal fee-based shops where you can even buy delicacies. Therefore, the black market has shifted towards communications, drugs and alcohol.
"The most popular method of alcohol delivery is impregnation," says the former operative. — Vodka is poured into a large syringe and "pierced" with it, for example, an orange.
If it is possible to transfer the "charged" citrus, it is squeezed into a mug. According to the interlocutor of Izvestia, such a "cocktail" can only be transferred in collusion with the administration so that the fruit is not cut during inspection, and such fruits smell accordingly.
Relatives, acquaintances, or representatives of professions who have the right to visit are often used as couriers. Loved ones hide the "forbidden" on themselves during long dates. Lawyers and medical staff are also actively involved as "shuttles".
Responsibility and consequences
The FSIN recalls that such actions are liable under Article 19.12 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation ("Transfer or attempt to transfer prohibited items to a person held in a place of deprivation of liberty, correctional center or place of detention"). The penalty in the form of an administrative fine varies from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles (Part 1) or from 25,000 to 50,000 rubles (Part 2) with mandatory confiscation of seized items. In each case, "checks are carried out on all identified violations of the law."
Lawyer Pavel Korniako clearly distinguishes responsibility depending on the category of the prohibited item.
The first category includes household items and means of communication prohibited by internal regulations (for example, piercing and cutting products, files, knives). Their carrying or attempted carrying falls under art. 19.12 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.
— Phones, SIM cards, accessories: the responsibility is stricter here, — says Korniako. — The first transfer attempt qualifies under Part 2 of Article 19.12 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation and faces a fine of up to 50 thousand rubles.
If you try to transfer the means of communication again, the actions become criminal. The expert refers to Article 321.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Transfer to a person held in a place of deprivation of liberty or a place of detention, mobile communications and other means of communication by a person who has been subjected to administrative punishment or has a criminal record").
— Sanctions under it may include a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles, forced labor or imprisonment for up to two years.
Dealers in a cage
The most severe responsibility awaits those who try to deliver narcotic and strong substances to the prisoner or prisoner, says lawyer Korniako.
— The situation with drugs, anabolic steroids and other prohibited substances is considered within the framework of the criminal legislation on drug trafficking (Articles 228, 228.1, 229 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and is the most severe.
For someone who smuggles, this qualifies as the sale of narcotic drugs, says the source of Izvestia.
— The key aggravating circumstance is the commission of a crime on the territory of an institution of the penal system. The punishment depends on the size of the party: from significant (Part 3 of Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) to especially large (part 5 of Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), which entails huge terms of imprisonment.
For someone who is awaiting a parcel in the colony, responsibility may also arise if there is evidence of participation in the organization of a crime or complicity (for example, correspondence).
— He may face charges of complicity in the sale. Otherwise, in the purchase of drugs.
The expert notes that there is a practice of holding prisoners themselves accountable in such cases, although it is not as widespread as the courier's responsibility.
— If the person who brought the phones is the only one who answers, it's different with drugs. This is already a serious crime committed on the territory of an institution of the penitentiary system," the expert explains.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
