Pubdate: Wed, 23 Mar 2011
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Damian Inwood, The Province

JAIL DRUGS LIKELY SMUGGLED IN TRAILER

Vehicle 'Brought in for Repairs' Probed

Jail guards at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre say a trailer may
have been used as a "Trojan horse" to smuggle drugs, weapons and
cellphones into the jail.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor-General
confirmed Tuesday the Maple Ridge prison has now beefed up its policy
"to prohibit public vehicles from being accepted into any on-site work
programs."

Ridge Meadows RCMP said that an investigation was launched at the
correctional centre on March 7.

"We are working with B.C. Corrections on that investigation but it's a
very active at this point, so I'm not going to comment any further on
any details," said Cpl. Alanna Dunlop.

The Province received a tip that drugs, makeshift knives, cellphones,
steroids and steroid needles were hidden in the walls of a trailer
that was brought into the jail, at the request of a private citizen,
for inmates to repair.

"We did have an investigation that was initiated on March 7, 2011 that
sounds similar to what you're alluding to," said Dunlop. "We're still
working on it."

Inmates deliberately broke gym equipment and took it into the jail's
metalwork shop, according to information given to The Province.

There, the inmates removed the contraband then distributed it, said a
guard, who refused to give his name.

A stash of drugs was later found in the prison, he
said.

Dean Purdy, head of the B.C. Government Employees Union's correctional
and sheriff services section, said police are investigating whether
the trailer was the source of the contraband.

But he said he was unable to confirm if the drugs were directly linked
to the trailer.

"I don't have any proof of that," he said. "What I will say is that we
have suspicions that it could be linked to the trailer and we have
concerns around that. This is something that we will be following up
with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor-General."

The ministry spokesman confirmed that police were notified about the
trailer after it was brought on to the prison grounds for repair.

"FRCC and B.C. Corrections are working closely with the RCMP to
investigate this matter," he said. "As a result of this incident, FRCC
has strengthened its policy to prohibit public vehicles from being
accepted into any on-site work programs. As this is an ongoing
criminal investigation we are unable to provide further specifics."
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.