Officials seize drugs, cell phones, drone from BC prison

Prison officials in BC seized thousands of dollars in contraband and unauthorized items at a maximum-security prison earlier this week.

According to Correctional Service Canada (CSC), staff members seized cell phones, SD cards, an SD card reader, cannabis concentrate, handmade weapons and a drone at the Kent Institution in Agassiz on Sunday.

The total estimated institutional value of the seizures is $124,600.

Police have now been notified and the institution is investigating, CSC says in a statement.

Kim MacPherson, Assistant Warden, Management Services at Kent Institution says CSC has a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions including scanners, drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates and visitors.

The CSC has said several times in the past that it is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering prisons in order to help ensure a “safe and secure environment for everyone.

“CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions,” the statement said.

“CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions.”

The toll-free number, 1‑866‑780‑3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.