Woman busted smuggling $48k of drugs into Townsville prison
A police dog has caught a woman trying to enter a Queensland correctional centre with $48,000 worth of prescription drugs.
Police & Courts
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A woman has been caught trying to smuggle an estimated $48,000 worth of drugs in her bra into a Townsville prison.
She caught the attention of a Passive Alert Drug Detection dog named Carrie who was part of an operation targeting visitors on August 22 at Townsville Correctional Complex (TCC).
Police and QCS officers first searched the woman’s visitor locker and when they questioned her, she retrieved a package from her bra which contained Buprenorphine worth an estimated $48,000.
The prescription drug is used to treat opioid addiction and pain and also helps people withdraw from heroin and methadone dependence.
The woman was taken to Stuart Police station and charged with unlawful possession of a restricted drug.
TCC General Manager Chief Superintendent Louise Kneeshaw said there was a zero-tolerance approach to contraband in prisons.
“The introduction of contraband, particularly drugs, is a significant risk to the safety and security of our officers, prisoners and visitors, and our officers work diligently to thwart attempts to smuggle contraband into our centres,” she said.
“No matter the reason, if people attempt to introduce contraband into QCS properties or facilities, there will be consequences,” she said.
“I commend our intelligence and custodial officers on their ongoing efforts, in conjunction with QPS, to ensure the safety of our officers working in the centre.