Correctional staff at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford seized contraband with a prison value of about $18,000 on Sunday, March 22.
Staff intercepted the items – which included tobacco, a cellphone and drugs – from a person who was attempting to smuggle them into the medium-security federal prison, said assistant warden Marie Cossette in a press release.
“This seizure is the result of the efforts of security intelligence officers,” Cossette stated.
The person who attempted to smuggle in the items was arrested by the police and may face criminal charges.
Cossette said Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions, including ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates and visitors.
CSC has set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities related to security at CSC institutions, related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates and staff members.
The toll-free number, 1-866-780-3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.
