Police use dogs to search prison visitors

Cars were stopped and searched today as visitors arrived at Bunbury Regional Prison in a bid to stop illegal drugs from making it inside.

Sniffer dogs and officers from the Organised Crime Squad joined forces with the Department of Corrective Services and Bunbury-based police and detectives to search 28 cars as people arrived to visit prisoners.

Officers netted cannabis, a weapon and one methamphetamine pipe during the operation.They are conducting tests on two other substances they believe to be illicit drugs.

Infringements were also issued to unlicensed drivers.

The operation is part of an ongoing focus on prisons to cut the amount of illegal drugs making it inside.

Acting Det-Sen. Sgt Peter Healy from the Organised Crime Squad said operations similar to the one today would be undertaken across the State.

“Our message to anyone thinking about attempting to take drugs into a prison is simple – if you are caught with drugs you may go from being a visitor to an inmate,” he said.

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