1000 DRUG BUSTS AT JAIL

.. and staff find 77 mobile phones

New figures show more than 1000 drug seizures have been made at HMP Addiwell since 2014 with heroin, cannabis and tablets the contraband most seized by prison staff.

There have been 1076 drug seizures at the prison in just over three-and-a-half years with 77 mobile phones also being confiscated in that time.

The shocking figures were unveiled just a month after nine staff members at the prison were hospitalised in the space of three days after inhaling second-hand fumes from the zombie drug Spice.

Since 2014 prison staff have seized 125 grams of heroin with 23.2 grams confiscated this year alone (as of August 31).

There was 176 grams of cannabis found by officers in the same time frame as well as quantities of cocaine and amphetamines.

However the largest seizures seem to come in the form of tablets and pills with 3796 seized since 2014.

A spokesperson for the prison said that drugs were an ongoing issue for prisons with staff using a range of tactics to stop illegal substances coming into HMP Addiewell – and detecting them when they do.

An HMP Addiewell spokesperson said: “Safety and security are our top priority and these figures reflect the hard work and diligence of our staff in preventing illicit items getting into Addiewell and in detecting such items when they do.

“Drugs and mobile phones are an issue across the whole prison estate.

“Our staff deploy a range of tactics to stop illicit items being introduced to the prison and have robust searching procedures in place.

“Any breach of security is dealt with quickly and appropriately and anyone found in possession of contraband is reported to the appropriate authorities.

“We work closely with the police and the NHS to tackle drugs and their associated issues.”