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Attempts to smuggle large amounts of methamphetamine and cannabis into three prisons have been blocked, the Department of Corrections says.
Corrections manager of service support Karen Urwin said yesterday the smuggling of thousands of dollars of drugs was stopped at Waikeria and Auckland prisons.
"All of the drugs found have been from members of the public attempting to smuggle them into the prison," Ms Urwin said. "Many prisoners have serious addictions and are continually looking at ways to smuggle drugs into prison."
The department had increased the level of surveillance equipment, put in place new scanning equipment in gatehouses, and doubled the number of drug dogs working in prisons, Ms Urwin said.
"Any visitor may be asked to undergo a scanner or rub-down search prior to entering a prison and if they do not consent they will be refused entry."
At Waikeria Prison recently, suspicious behaviour led to a prisoner being searched and his visitor detained.
About 3.8g of methamphetamine was intercepted. The visitor was arrested and charged.
At an Auckland Prison checkpoint, two people were arrested after a large quantity of drugs and contraband was found on them. The drugs - 73g of methamphetamine - had a street value of about $73,000. The duo also had cannabis, Sim cards and other drug paraphernalia.
Drugs and a knife were also intercepted recently in mail at Tongariro/Rangipo Prison.
Ms Urwin said visitors trying to smuggle drugs into prisons were a major problem for the department. She said the number of prisoners testing positive for drugs had fallen dramatically in the past 10 years.
- NZPA
