A surprise inspection by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 at the Antique Rehabilitation Center in San Jose yielded several drug paraphernalia, various contrabands, and ammunition, reports said.

This after Governor Rhodora Cadiao sought the help of the agency following reports of alleged involvement of jail guards and inmates in the illegal drug trade.

PDEA-6 director Paul Ledesma said his team, together with a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, conducted a greyhound inspection at the facility last Monday.

PDEA operatives found empty plastic sachets that looked like the ones being used to repack methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), several gadgets, and a bag full of ammunition.

The inspection team also subjected 43 jail guards and 15 inmates to a drug test.

Two of the inmates tested positive for drug use while three jail guards, identified as Eniceto Escaner, Angeles Hizon, and Rogelio Naet, skipped the mandatory drug testing.

The three were nowhere to be found when the inspection was held, buoying suspicion that they are indeed involved in illegal drug use and trade.

Earlier, Cadiao disclosed that an informant said the three guards allow several inmates to peddle drugs inside the facility. They were also said to allow visitors to smuggle drugs from jail to sell in barangays and schools.

Cadiao said she will forward a recommendation to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology national office to file administrative charges against the said jail guards.

Two more jail officers are being linked to illegal drug trade but their identities were withheld pending investigation.