Tennis ball used in bizarre attempt to smuggle drugs into Marngoneet Correctional Centre
Desperate smugglers’ attempt to traffic drugs into a Victorian prison came undone when the bizarre item, believed to be laden with ice and other drugs, was seized after being tossed over the prison’s walls.
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A tennis ball stuffed with drugs worth $50,000 has been lobbed over the fence of one of Victoria’s prisons.
The ball — understood to be laden with buprenorphine and ice — was tossed into the medium-security Marngoneet Correctional Centre at Lara, near Geelong, on Monday. A police probe is now under way.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the ball was tossed from the Lara prison’s carpark with the incident caught on CCTV.
Prison staff seized the drug-packed ball before inmates could get to it.
A Corrections Victoria spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that staff detected suspected illicit drugs before they entered the prison system at Marngoneet Correctional Centre on Monday.
“Corrections Victoria remains vigilant in its efforts to detect illicit drugs in prisons.
“There are tough penalties for those who are found to be trafficking contraband into Victorian prisons, including offences punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment.
“Prisoners also face disciplinary action if they are found to have used or to be in possession of drugs, including loss of privileges and bans on contact visits.”
Police confirmed investigations were continuing.
Corrections Victoria figures show that statewide, 5 per cent of random inmate drug tests in June were positive, while the figure climbed to almost 10 per cent among those targeted based on intelligence.
About 1.6 per cent of random tests at Marngoneet were positive, compared with just over 3 per cent of those which where targeted.
Buprenorphine, commonly used to treat addiction to opioids, was by far the most prevalent drug at the prison.
The next most popular drugs were amphetamines, benzodiazepines — used to relieve stress and anxiety — and cannabinoids.
More than 550 prisoners are typically housed at Marngoneet.
Anyone with information about the suspected drug find is urged to contact Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.