Offenders turn up to community work with drugs

File photo / NZ Herald

Police found drugs on people serving community work sentences at the Tauranga Community Work Centre in a morning sting last month.

A specialist drug dog sniffed out drugs on four offenders who were then strip searched while another 19 brought along cellphones and food, which are not allowed during community work stints.

The items were uncovered by police and the Department of Corrections and the offenders will now be sent back to court to face fines of up to $1000, more community work or imprisonment of up to three months, the Bay of Plenty Times reported.

Community Probation Services central region manager Heather Mackie said it might sound overly stringent not to allow offenders to bring cellphones or food, but it was because cellphones were a distraction and food could be used to hide drugs.

- NZPA