30 March
Although Roxy the drug dog can’t read the newspaper, she must be feeling the effect on all eyes on her work, with a crafty find of cannabis hidden in a visitor’s vehicle at Northland Region Corrections Facility last week.
“Staff were carrying out a joint operation with Kaikohe Police on Wednesday, targeting the vehicles of visitors to the prison. Corrections staff were searching for contraband items while Police ensured that vehicles were road-worthy and fulfilled legal requirements,” says Acting Prison Manager Chris Gisler.
Roxy indicated in the bottom corner of the front passenger console, and although staff couldn’t see anything, Roxy’s refusal to budge from her spot meant staff had to trust her, and they continued to search.
Hidden underneath the front dashboard of the car was a plastic canister containing cannabis. The driver of the vehicle had obviously gone to great lengths to conceal it and as a result of this he’s been charged by Police with possession of cannabis and banned from visiting the site for a period of 12 months.
Police from the Strategic Traffic Unit also had a successful day, issuing infringement notices to the value of around $5000 for vehicles failing to display a current Warrant of Fitness or expired registration and licence breaches.
“Here is another classic example of a visitor blatantly breaching the rules. Ignorance is no excuse in this case, and this is proven by the fact that he had the drugs hidden. Why you would risk bringing contraband to the site remains a mystery to me, as we have made it very clear that you will get caught and you will face the consequences for your decisions,” says Mr Gisler.
“I cannot repeat it often enough. Drugs are not allowed onto prison property because they are illegal and they can pose a danger to the good order and security of the prison, and the safety of our staff and the public. Do not bring them with you – Roxy will find them, no matter how well you think you have them hidden.”
ENDS
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