Prison officer faces drug charges

File Photo

A Waikato prisons officer is facing drugs charges after allegedly conspiring to deal a class C drug to a Waikeria prison inmate.

Corrections department assistant regional manager Dianne Brophy said a combination of Waikeria prison staff vigilance, the department's Operations Intelligence Team monitoring systems and police surveillance work had resulted in the arrest of the Waikeria Prison guard.

The man appeared in Hamilton District Court today and was remanded to reappear at a later date.

"Recently staff noticed a change in a prisoner's behaviour which prompted them to inform Operations Intelligence who then used our monitoring systems to gather information," Ms Brophy said.

"This information was then handed over to police whose surveillance efforts resulted in the officer being arrested last night."

Class C drugs include cannabis seed and plant material and codeine.

- NZPA