Cannabis in shoes sent to inmate

A pair of shoes posted to a New Plymouth Prison inmate had cannabis hidden in their soles, the Corrections Department says.

A drug dog uncovered the drugs during a routine search of items posted and couriered into the prison.

The cannabis was handed over to police and the sender had been banned from visiting the prison.

Prison manager Peter Madsen said along with other forms of detection, drug dogs had been very effective in finding contraband.

People who were caught smuggling contraband were likely to be banned from future visits for up to 12 months and could face prosecution.

- NZPA