DRUGS TOSSED INTO JAIL

A $65,000 bag of drugs destined for Drumheller Institution inmates was
intercepted by prison guards.

A plastic Wal-Mart bag filled with hashish oil and crystal
methamphetamine was found in the snow near an administration building
Feb. 12.

"If those drugs would have gotten into the institution, it would have
been a huge setback," said warden Mike Hanly.

"We're under constant strain for drugs being brought in. We've got
about 600 inmates in here, and there's a lot of inmates with substance
abuse problems."

The prison's drug dog Storm and his handler were searching the grounds
when they discovered unusual tracks near the minimum security annex.

The prison has made a dozen seizures of illegal drugs this year.

Crystal meth is unusual for the prison, which typically sees hash oil
and cocaine smuggled in.

"The inmates have a very low tolerance for it. It disrupts the
population," said Hanly, adding half the prison's population is under
the age of 30.

It is not uncommon to find drugs thrown onto prison property, he said.

"In the same area about a year ago, they found a McDonald's cup filled
with drugs shoved down a gopher hole," said Hanly.

To discourage drug smuggling, prison visitors are screened with an ion
scan machine at the main entrance.