Dog discovers drugs in heel of sandal at Auckland Prison

Methamphetamine was found in a pair of sandals at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo yesterday when a drug dog sniffed out the drug in incoming mail.

On searching the suspicious courier package, staff at the prison found a new pair of sandals - each with a heel full of methamphetamine.

The sandals were dismantled and a total of 4.2 grams of methamphetamine was found concealed inside them.

Corrections department assistant regional manager northern Jeanette Burns said that as a "hit" of methamphetamine usually amounted to 0.1 of a gram, the interception represented a significant find for the prison.

"People will try all sorts of ways of getting drugs and other contraband into prisons," she said.

"We are constantly coming across new methods of concealment aimed at getting illegal material into Auckland Prison. Our staff are constantly searching and checking visitors, mail, vehicles - anything coming onto the site."

Prisons staff were trained to look for abnormalities in packages that may indicate the presence of contraband, and Auckland Prison's drug dog team routinely joined in mail searches, Ms Burns said.

"We work hard to address the drug and alcohol addictions that many prisoners have when they enter prison, and it is disappointing that members of the public put so much time and effort into trying to ruin the good work our staff are doing.

"Stopping contraband from entering prisons is a big step to treating prisoners' addictions, and we can then work to reduce demand for drugs through effective rehabilitation programmes such as the department's six drug treatment units."

Ms Burns said intercepting the methamphetamine was a good result for the drug dog team and for the prison.

"As a site, and as a department, we are committed to stopping all contraband from entering our facilities, and when our staff have successes like these it's a big win for us."

- NZPA