Move FM Regional news

SYDNEY, NSW, Australia – Five prisons across New South Wales were targeted for a blitz on visitors over the weekend.

Visitors to the prisons were searched. The search extended to the visitors’ cars where a number of prohibited items were seized.

The prisons targeted were the facilities at Lithgow, the Mid North Coast, Shortland, Goulburn and the South Coast.

Drugs, knives, replica firearms and a can of pepper spray were seized as a result of the searches.  

The operations, led by the NSW Corrective Service’s specialised security operations group in conjunction with NSW Police, resulted in 11 visitors being charged and another eight prevented from proceeding with their visits.

Assistant Commissioner for Security and Intelligence Mark Wilson PSM said that while some drugs were allegedly discovered on visitors, it is also an offence for visitors to have banned items in their cars when attending the complex.

“Anyone visiting a correctional centre needs to be aware that officers and K9s are out in force conducting contraband screenings and this includes searches of any property brought on site,” Mr Wilson said Monday. 

“We make sure no stone is left unturned. Everything on CSNSW property – whether it be a handbag, pram or car – is carefully inspected for contraband.”

“Visitors need to use some common sense and ensure that they are not driving into a correctional facility with a boot full of hunting knives or anything else that is considered contraband in the custodial setting such as tobacco,” the assistant commissioner said.

During the operations, officers assisted by contraband detection-dogs found items including:

– two replica firearms, three knives, a can of pepper spray and a machete

– 1.13kg tobacco

– 198 Suboxone strips

– 1.06g white powder

– 4.19g crystal substance

– 0.34g amphetamine

– 1.42g ‘green vegetable matter’, potentially cannabis

– nine Valium tablets

– four syringes and two needles

– six smoking implements

Almost all of the contraband was allegedly discovered in visitor cars, including the replica firearms, knives, pepper spray and machete.

Visitors caught bringing banned items, including illegal and prescription drugs, to correctional centres face penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment.