Paradip, Aug. 20: Narcotic substances, cellphones and SIM cards were recovered during a raid at Jagatsinghpur jail today.

“We got a tip-off that a few prisoners were in possession of cellphones and also running an extortion racket from the jail premises. This prompted us to conduct the raid,” said Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

Seven cellphones, over a dozen SIM cards and mobile phone batteries were seized during the raid. Besides cannabis, banned narcotic substances have also been recovered from the possession of the criminals, he said.

“We have asked the jail authorities to submit a report on how these things can be found from the possession of the inmates despite security. The state prison directorate had also been informed of the raid and consequent seizures from the cells,” said the police superintendent.

“Since the number of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) installed inside the jail is not enough o keep tabs on unruly prisoners, the district police suggested the senior prison officials to install more cameras and jammers in the jails of Kujang and Jagatsinghpur district,” said the district police chief.

Earlier, too, Jagatsinghpur jail was in news after banned items had been seized from prisoners during a raid. Last year, police had arrested the head of the jail for supplying materials such as cell phones, SIM cards to the inmates.