Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Oscar Calderon has vowed dire consequences for erring jail guards at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) after learning first hand that illegal drugs are a common commodity within the confines of the penal system.

An upset Calderon assured that “heads will roll” among the jail guards manning the NBP’s maximum security compound where over 30 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride — also known as “shabu” — were recovered from inmates the other day.

In shaking up the ranks of the jail guards, the BuCor chief said he hopes to weed out those who have been allowing the smuggling of shabu and other illegal substances inside the walls of the NBP and those who serve as “protectors” of inmates involved in the underground drug trade.

Criminal and administrative charges would also be slapped on the erring jailers to show that prison officials mean business in clamping down on drug peddling and abuse at the Muntinlupa penal facility, Calderon said.

The maximum security compound currently holds around 11,000 prisoners, 182 of which are foreigners mostly convicted of drug-related offenses such as drug trafficking. Another 111 inmates there are Fil-foreigners, most of whom are also drug offenders.

A surprise inspection on the jail cells of the cramped compound Wednesday resulted in the seizure of shabu at Buildings 2, 5, and 8 where drug use appeared to be a popular pastime among inmates.

Supt. Burt Bustamante, NBP Chief Executive Assistant, said Building 8 inmate Peter Co yielded 30 grams of shabu. Other prisoners at Co’s cell were even having a pot session when authorities arrived.

At least five other Fil-foreigners were found in possession of sachets containing alleged shabu, although the amount was undetermined.

The inspection lasted nearly eight hours as operatives had to scour the entire maximum security compound for drug paraphernalia, Bustamante said.

Calderon ordered and led the inspection after receiving information that illegal drugs were freely being smuggled into the NBP from outside sources.