Woman tries taking drugs into prison

Corrections Department staff have caught a woman trying to smuggle drugs concealed in a glasses case into Auckland's Mt Eden Prison.

Staff searched the woman's car in the carpark during a routine operation at the prison yesterday morning, acting prison manager Neville Mark said.

"The visitor was offered the chance to declare any contraband items in her vehicle and chose not to."

Staff found a glasses case underneath the driver's seat containing what appeared to be cannabis packages, a glass pipe consistent with methamphetamine use and bags of crystal substances.

The woman was detained by staff until police arrested her and removed her and the items from the site.

Police may charge the woman and she might also be banned from visiting the prison where her friend was detained, Mr Mark said.

"The demand for drugs in prison is high and unfortunately prisoners put a lot of pressure on their friends and family to smuggle it in for them. It is our job to keep it out."

It was unacceptable for prisoners to possess contraband and prison staff would continue to be vigilant in their screening of visitors, contractors and staff, he said.

"Contraband, like drugs and weapons, making their way into the hands of prisoners is extremely dangerous for other prisoners, our staff and in rare cases, the public."

- NZPA