1 April
Quick thinking staff at Christchurch Men’s Prison were amazed to uncover a second major drug haul after a large quantity of methamphetamine was found in a vehicle of a female visitor to the site.
Acting Christchurch Men’s Prison Manager Trevor Saunders says that this drug find bore striking similarities to a drug find at the prison less then a week ago.
“Like last time this visitor was acting suspiciously and looked to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she came to the prison on Friday. However, on this occasion it was extremely saddening to find the woman had two children in the car with her,” says Trevor.
“Our staff immediately took control of the situation and searched her and her vehicle. We found a significant quantity of narcotics in the visitor’s vehicle with the aid of the prison’s drug dog.
"Hidden in the car were a number of snaplock bags containing ‘points’ of methamphetamine (0.1 grams enough for a ‘hit’), two other bags with what appeared to be BZP (benzodiazepine) and a syringe with what the visitor said was morphine.
"Police arrested the visitor after she was given the opportunity to use a phone to organise child care for her two kids.
“Stopping contraband entering prisons, and apprehending those who do attempt to smuggle it in, is one of Corrections’ highest priorities.
“The Department works constantly to prevent contraband entering our prisons. This includes the use of intelligence, regular searching, increased security and our drug dogs. There are currently 12 drug dogs working around the country.
“Many prisoners have addictions to drugs or alcohol when they come to prison – preventing contraband from entering prisons is one part of the solution that will curb these addictions. The other part is reducing demand for drugs through effective rehabilitation programmes such as the Department’s six Drug Treatment Units.
“I don’t want anyone out there to think that you have to be acting suspiciously to be searched at a prison either. The Department regularly performs searches both inside the prison and on anyone entering the prison.
“We are committed to keeping this rubbish out of our prison. It was very pleasing that we could stop this visitor and have these drugs seized.”
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