'Disgusting' footage shows families, children smuggling drugs into jails
Children are being used as mules to get drugs into NSW jails, Seven News can reveal.
Video obtained by Seven News shows how drugs are being smuggled into the state’s jails through nappies and balloons.
It’s further alleged some correctional officers know about it.
In one instance a woman can be seen slipping balloons, believed to be full of drugs, inside a Smith’s BBQ chip packet at Goulburn prison.
Another video shows nearly 30 grams of meth found alongside children’s toys and doonas in the back of a Holden Commodore during a visit to Bathurst Jail.
Corrective Services secretary John Harrison said children are being used to avoid detection and it was proving hard to stop.
“The child actually pulled out some marijuana, swallowed then smiled at staff [and said] ‘you can’t get me',” he said.
“I’ve seen them hide items inside babies’ nappies and even as far as coaching children to secrete items and also to dump them if they’re approached by staff to avoid prosecution.”
Cannabis and tobacco are also rife in NSW prisons.
There were 64 cannabis and tobacco seizures at Long Bay Hospital and jail, 55 at Silverwater Men’s and 27 at Silverwater Women’s.
Meth and cocaine were also seized at Goulburn and Cessnock jails along with the Drug Treatment Centre.
Corrections Minister David Elliott has spoken out against the families smuggling in drugs.
“Any parent who tries to use their children to break the law is an animal and I’m disgusted,” he said.
“It’s a bastard act.”
