2 November
An attempt to throw a tennis ball containing drugs into Christchurch Men’s Prison has fallen short. Around two ounces of cannabis were hidden in the ball which was found in-between the Prison’s two perimeter fences.
“It is obvious the ball was supposed to land beyond the two fences and within Prison grounds where a prisoner could find it. However, the ball was found in-between the two perimeter fences which is an area prisoners cannot access so it looks like the perpetrator's throw fell short", says Acting Prison Manager Trevor Saunders.
“Attempts to throw drugs into Prison grounds seems to be in vogue at the moment, only two weeks ago a tennis ball was found within the grounds during routine checks containing triazolam pills and heroin.
“We regularly search the Prison grounds for contraband and these searches usually involve our drug dogs. The chance contraband thrown in like this will be found is high, so it really is not worth the effort or the risk. Finds like this are usually handed over to Police who may choose to investigate and lay criminal charges.
“We know that members of the public can sometimes come under intense pressure to try and smuggle drugs into prison for their family or friends. However we have a number of measures in place to stop drugs and other contraband entering the Prison including visitor searches, vehicle checkpoints, the use of drug detector dogs and we also randomly monitor prisoner phone calls.
“We are absolutely committed to stopping contraband entering the prison. It was very pleasing that we could seize these drugs and prevent them from being taken by prisoners. We encourage anyone being pressured to help prisoners get drugs to let us know by ringing 0800 JAIL SAFE (5245 7233).
“Nationally, random prisoner positive drug tests are sitting at an all time low and today’s find is one of the ways we are achieving this. Drug use in our prisons will not be tolerated.”
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