2 December
A Hawkes Bay Regional Prison drug dog couldn’t be fooled by drugs being smeared in what appeared to be marmite or vegemite coming into the Prison last week.
The cannabis was found during a routine check of all property being posted into the Prison.
"The drug dog indicated the presence of drugs in the package and after inspection by staff, the shoes inside were found to contain cannabis concealed within a rubber glove, which was smeared in vegemite or marmite. Our drug dogs are trained to detect certain odours down to parts per trillion, so it takes a bit more than sandwich spread, however strong smelling to fool them,” says Prison Manager George Massingham.
“Posting drugs hidden in soles of shoes seems to be popular at the moment as only a week ago drugs were found in a similar fashion at New Plymouth Prison. All prisons have a number of initiatives in place to prevent drugs and other contraband entering the prison including visitor searches, vehicle checkpoints, and the use of drug detector dogs so the chance you will get caught means it just isn’t worth it.
“It has been a busy week for our drug dog and his handler who also found drugs during a routine search of all visitor vehicles. Cannabis and a large amount of cannabis seeds were found in a vehicle and the occupants have now been banned from visiting the prison.
“We are absolutely committed to stopping contraband entering the prison. It was very pleasing that we could seize these drugs, hand them over to Police and prevent them from potentially being taken or even grown in the case of the seeds by prisoners.
“We encourage anyone being pressured to help prisoners get drugs to let us know by ringing 0800 JAIL SAFE (5245 7233).”
ENDS
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
• Phone: (04) 460 3365
• Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz
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