A former prison guard who admitted arranging drug deals into
a Waikato facility with an inmate has been fired.
Perive Matuaitofiga, 25, smuggled cannabis and tobacco into
Spring Hill prison in north Waikato into jail in exchange for
$500 for each exchange, and another deal to supply ecstasy,
TVNZ reported.
An inmate assisted the deal using a cell phone from inside
prison.
Matuaitofiga was searched by security guards and caught
carrying 60 grams of tobacco, more than 40 grams of cannabis
and pills, One News said.
Department of Corrections central regional manager Terry
Buffery said he believed the former guard was acting alone.
"Our prisoners are very manipulative people and they would
want to give the officer a feeling of comfort," he said.
Green Party MP David Clendon said the case highlighted the
need for an independent authority to police professional
standards across Corrections.
Matuaitofiga will sentenced in January on bribery charges.
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