A package containing an estimated $11,050 worth of contraband nicotine patches was seized at Mountain Institution May 22.
Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) employees at the prison use a variety of tools to prevent drugs from getting into the institution including ion scanners and drug-detecting dogs, as well as staff assigned to search buildings, personal property, inmates and visitors.
A press release from Sheila Bonn, assistant warden management services, states “CSC is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone.”
This is the second contraband seizure at Mountain Institution in 2018, the first occurring Feb. 6 when prison staff seized another $4,100 worth of nicotine patches.
Tobacco was banned in all public workplaces in B.C. in 2008, including federal government facilities such as prisons. While the patches were permitted in prisons following the smoking ban, they often cause problems in institutions, former assistant warden sheila Collett told Black Press via email in 2017.
A toll-free tip line for anyone with information relating to security at CSC institutions can be reached at 1-866-780-3784.
RELATED: Thousands of dollars of nicotine patches seized at Mountain Institution
With files from Paul Henderson.
