Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jan 2007
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2007 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300

DRUGS SMUGGLED INTO PRISONS IN DEAD BIRDS

Dead birds and bubblewrap are two of the more unusual methods of 
smuggling drugs in prisons, according to Corrections department 
national security manager Karen Urwin.

Methamphetamine, known as P, was flying high over prison walls, 
stuffed inside dead birds thrown from the outside by accomplices of 
desperate inmates, she told the Press newspaper.

Ms Urwin told the newspaper that another method was to put the drug 
inside bubblewrap around presents posted to inmates, she said.

"A great number of our prisoners are quite cunning and people 
underestimate their ingenuity. Some are quite desperate, so will 
resort to any wacky measures," Ms Urwin said.

Drugs had previously been found stuffed into tennis balls or fruit 
and thrown into exercise yards.

The main method of smuggling drugs into prison was inside body 
cavities, but prison officers frequently uncovered other methods.

These included, for those who had lost eyes in fights, stuffing drugs 
into eye sockets.

Tighter security prompted prisoners to be more devious.

"You can guarantee if one person figures out a way to get drugs in, 
it will spread like wildfire," she told the Press.

Ms Urwin said that despite the department clamping down on contraband 
smuggling, it was a battle.

Inmates who tested positive for drugs were put on a special regime 
that included dressing in an orange all-in-one jumpsuit with a zip 
that could be opened only by a special key so drugs could not be concealed.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine