19 May
A prison checkpoint at Tongariro/Rangipo Prison was the scene of Prison Services’ latest contraband seizure on Wednesday 13 May. A visitor to the prison, arriving to pick up a released prisoner, was caught with cannabis and a large quantity of ammunition in his vehicle.
The contraband was found during a routine visitor checkpoint that Tongariro/Rangipo Prison staff were running screening every visitor to the site that day.
“We run these checkpoints routinely throughout the year to prevent any contraband coming into our prison. These checkpoints find cellphones, weapons and drugs regularly,” says Acting Tongariro/Rangipo Prison Manager Zak Peacock.
“Police came to the prison to interview this visitor and retrieve the evidence. The visitor has been issued with a summons to the Taupo District Court for possession of cannabis.
“We must be constantly vigilant for contraband coming onto our site. Often this contraband is destined for a prisoner which can seriously compromise security and puts the safety of the public, staff and prisoners at risk.
“Even if a visitor claims the contraband is not intended for a prisoner it is important that we help our community by removing it from circulation.
“Though this was a relatively minor ‘bust’ for us it again demonstrates the importance of our security. Every little bit counts in keeping our prison free of contraband.
“Tongariro/Rangipo’s random positive drug tests are currently at only 8 per cent, an excellent result which is a direct result of work such as this.”
Prison security has had regular success throughout the country recently with significant finds being detected at Auckland, Tongariro/Rangipo, Rimutaka and Christchurch Men’s Prison.
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