PERIMETER DRUGS FOUND A THIRD TIME

For the third time this year, prison officials have seized drugs
found near the fence of the Matsqui Institution property.

On Sunday morning, a correctional officer found a tennis ball
containing illicit drugs at the base of the inner perimeter fence
adjacent to the exercise yard at the King Road facility.

The tennis ball contained 8.4 grams of marijuana, 13.4 grams of
marijuana laced with amphetamines, 2.8 grams of cocaine and 1.6 grams
of heroin.

A search of the institution's exercise yard turned up no further drugs.

On March 19, a two tennis balls were found around a perimeter fence
and the exercise yard. They contained 600 steroid pills and 21 grams
of marijuana.

In late January, a package containing marijuana and ecstasy was found
between two perimeter fences after correctional officers spotted
suspicious activity in the area.

"The presence of drugs in prisons continues to be of great concern to
Corrections Canada as it is often related to the commission of
crimes, the transmission of infectious diseases and violence in
institutions," said Cindy Lewis of Matsqui Institution.

A tipline has been set up has been set up at all federal institutions
in the region to provide an additional source for receiving
information about activities that relate to the safety and security
of the prisons. Callers can choose to remain anonymous when they call
1-866-955-5550.

* Also this week, Matsqui Institution was locked down after an inmate
was assaulted before 5 p.m. on Monday. The institution was expected
to return to normal routine on Tuesday.

Matsqui Institution is currently home to 334 male offenders.