Undie drug smuggler caught by prison staff

Photo / Jess Husband

A man's attempt to smuggle $12,000 worth of methamphetamine into Auckland Central Remand Prison in his underpants has been foiled by prison staff, the Department of Corrections said today.

The underpants find came when the man refused to be searched by staff before being received on remand into the prison, assistant regional manager northern Grace Smit said today.

The move rang alarm bells for staff.

"All prisoners are searched on their arrival to prison," said Ms Smit.

"When a prisoner refuses to be searched, nine times out of 10 it indicates that they have contraband material of some kind somewhere on their body."

The prisoner was attempting to conceal a small package in his underwear.

"Staff moved to recover the package, and the prisoner attempted to defeat their efforts by dropping it to the floor and standing on it," she said.

Prison staff, with help from First Security transporting staff , restrained the prisoner and the package was recovered.

"Police have since informed us that the package contained 11.7 grams of methamphetamine - considering a single hit is 0.1 grams, this is a big find for our staff," she said.

"Searching is business as usual for custodial staff, but its always nice to get a result and know that you're making a difference."

The announcement came a day after Corrections said a drug dog at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo had sniffed out a package containing sandals with 4.2 grams of the drug concealed in the heels.

- NZPA