In February, a substantial quantity of prohibited items, including mobile phones, SIM cards, and alcohol, was discovered hidden within the packaging of a dry milk mixture in a store run by a vendor in the Rīga Central Prison. The vendor has historical ties to Vladislav Babenko, an entrepreneur detained in connection with a murder case involving the Bunkus affair. This connection raises concerns about the ongoing operations of the store and the security measures in place to prevent smuggling of contraband into the prison.

The Latvian Ministry of Justice is currently avoiding the extension of contracts with the implicated vendor and is preparing to institute new regulations intended to enhance competition among suppliers of commercial services within the prison system. Despite these measures, the strong links between the new vendor and the previous one have been noted, suggesting that systemic issues within the prison procurement and management might not be fully addressed by simply switching suppliers.

Reports also indicate that the discovery of prohibited goods is a common occurrence for the prison administration, revealing significant challenges in managing contraband. This situation could lead to increased scrutiny of procurement practices within prisons, calls for better oversight, and further examination of the relationships between prison staff, vendors, and detained individuals, with implications for the integrity and security of the prison system as a whole.