'Foolish' pair bring drugs to prison pickup

The Corrections Department says two people caught carrying drugs while visiting a Waikato prison were "foolish".

The pair went to Waikeria Prison, 16km south of Te Awamutu, to collect a friend who was being released this week, but both ended up being detained and arrested, Waikeria South Prison manager Kevin Smith said.

"So basically what should have been a happy occasion for these two people at the prison to pick up a friend being released was ruined by their foolishness in thinking they could bring drugs onsite.

"The released prisoner did manage to get a ride home from the third occupant of the visitor group."

Prison staff found a package of cannabis, which one of the visitors had put down the back of his pants when he saw the prison drug dog handler, and a methamphetamine pipe in the handbag of the other visitor, Mr Smith said.

Visitors were officially on prison grounds in the car park, but it was not uncommon for them to think they would not be searched if they were not coming into the prison, he said.

"However, before coming on site there are large road signs that clearly state that drugs are prohibited and that visitors and their vehicles can be searched, not to mention the fact it is common knowledge that drugs are illegal."

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