BOY, 8, CAUGHT TAKING DRUGS INTO PRISON

WAIKERIA - An 8-year-old boy was caught smuggling cannabis into
Waikeria Prison.

The Department of Corrections said it was "saddening" but not an
isolated case.

The boy and two adult companions were caught on Sunday during a
routine visitor vehicle check at the prison, south of Te Awamutu. The
child's male relation was charged with possession of the drug, and
police may lay other charges. The general manager of the Public
Prisons Service, Phil McCarthy, said prison staff around the country
sometimes found drugs on children, in babies' pushchairs and hidden in
babies' clothing.

"It is sad that the criminal fraternity continue to pressure children
and families to smuggle drugs into prisons," he said.

However, Inspector Kelvin Powell of Te Awamutu said it was most
unusual, in his experience, to find children carrying drugs and the
incident was cause for concern.

As a result of the Waikeria checkpoint, four people were banned from
visiting the prison for three months and two arrests were made.

Six people were arrested during a crackdown on Waikeria visitors in
March. Cannabis oil, methadone, steel bars and a softball bat were
confiscated.

A nationwide $11.5 million security fencing project, which began this
year, is expected to reduce the supply of drugs planted on prison land
for inmates.