Correctional staff seize $287K in contraband at Agassiz prison, including needles and weapons

AGASSIZ — Federal prison staff announced Tuesday that they have confiscated a rather large amount of contraband ranging from phones to steroids, needles to handmade weapons and more, at a maximum-security correctional institution west of Agassiz.

In a news release, Correctional Service Canada attributed the contraband seizure at Kent Institution to the vigilance of staff members.

The contraband and unauthorized items seized included smart phones, steroids, needles, handmade weapons, SD card readers, THC, and alcohol brew. The total estimated institutional value of these seizures is $287,700. The items were seized on August 24.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.