16 July 2010
A recently released prisoner has been arrested and charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply after being found attempting to throw two tennis balls containing the drug into the prison unit he was released from in May.
After acting on information they had received, Police were waiting outside Wanganui Prison for the drug drop to occur last Thursday morning. Prison staff were also informed and were monitoring behaviour within the prison site.
Around 9.30am a vehicle approached the area outside the prison, dropped a passenger off in a forested area and drove away. Police then moved in to stop the car and approach the passenger. After recovering two tennis balls containing around 65 grams of cannabis, thought to have a value of over $3000, the pair were arrested.
"In order to keep our communities safe we need to work together, this is a fantastic example of the community, the Police and the Prison working together to stop these drugs coming into the Prison and ensuring the perpetrators face the consequences of their illegal action," says Regional Intelligence Manager Dave Alty.
"This was a significant amount of cannabis and it is sad to see that a recently released prisoner who should have known better was behind it. The sad truth is we know that members of the public, including ex-prisoners can come under intense pressure to try and supply drugs.
"I hope this result acts as a deterrent to people considering trying to introduce contraband into our prisons and as an encouragement to members of the public to let us or Police know if they know about anyone involved in this type of activity.
"We encourage anyone who is being pressured to bring drugs into a prison to report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Your call is completely anonymous and your identity will be protected. The information will be used to ensure that the prisoner or prisoners involved no longer have the opportunity to make demands on people outside of prison.”
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