Prison staff suspected of drug smuggling for gangs

A major police investigation is looking into suspected staff corruption at one of the country’s largest jails.

It’s alleged numerous staff at Rimutaka Prison, north of Wellington, smuggled contraband, including drugs, to inmates, laundered money through their bank accounts and forged official documents. Much of the suspected illicit activity is thought to have been for Mongrel Mob gang members, but there may also be links to organised crime groups overseas.

The staff involved were allegedly given money as payment. There are concerns some managers knew what was going on but covered it up. It is unclear how.

The police investigation – dubbed Operation Portia – has spanned several months and involves members of the National Organised Crime Group, which specialises in covert operations. More than 200 statements have been gathered as part of the inquiry, which is nearing an end.

Several staff have either resigned or been suspended, a source said. Some were likely to face corruption charges.

One of the men who’s thought to have come under scrutiny as part of the inquiry told Stuff yesterday he no longer worked at the prison, but wouldn’t say why. He declined to comment further.

Corrections Association president Alan Whitley said he learned of the closely guarded investigation in recent weeks. ‘‘We know it’s into alleged corruption and that they’ve interviewed a number of people.’’

That was about all he knew. ‘‘It’s the tightest-run investigation that I’ve come across since I’ve been involved with the union,’’ Whitley said.

‘‘There’s no place for corrupt activity in the prison. If that’s

uncovered and cleared out that’s a good thing.’’

National Organised Crime Group manager Detective Inspector Stuart Mills confirmed the inquiry had been going since July.

‘‘A large number of interviews have been completed with staff from Rimutaka Prison and the vast majority of these staff members have been co-operative. The investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been laid at this stage.’’

He said an earlier police investigation prompted the inquiry, which also involved Wellington police and Corrections. Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis said he was aware of the investigation, which related to ‘‘alleged offending that began some years ago’’.

‘‘My very clear expectation is that Corrections staff conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism and integrity. There is absolutely no tolerance for conduct that undermines the integrity of the prison system.’’

Davis said he was unable to comment further while the matter was investigated by police.

A Corrections spokeswoman said the department ‘‘welcomes the inquiries being undertaken’’.

‘‘The overwhelming majority of our people act with integrity, honesty and professionalism and those who don’t place their colleagues’ safety at risk, damage trust in their profession and undermine the integrity of the prison system. They inevitably get found out, and held to account for their actions.’’

The police investigation prevented her from commenting further, she said.

‘‘There’s no place for corrupt activity in the prison.’’

Alan Whitley Corrections Association president