WOMAN CAUGHT SMUGGLING DRUGS

A 21-YEAR-OLD woman has been charged after trying to smuggle more than $25,000 in drugs into the Townsville Correctional Centre at the weekend.

General manager Chief Superintendent Louise Kneeshaw said the operation was co-ordinated with the police.

“Officers from intelligence, corrective service investigations unit and the dog squad worked with Queensland police as a part of a targeted strategy to disrupt the introduction of drugs to the prison,” Superintendent Kneeshaw said.

One of the centre’s newest canine recruits, Leah, played an important role in the operation, pointing officers to a 21-year-old woman.

It will be alleged the woman had drug packages hidden in her clothing.

The Kelso woman was charged with one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs within a correctional facility and taking a prohibited thing into a corrective services facility and given a notice to appear at court on September 21.

Superintendent Kneeshaw praised the work of officers in identifying the potential threat to the prison. “This is an example of the capability and commitment of the officers at the correctional centre.”