Cell raid catches clever cache

By Darrel Mager

A shakedown of the cells of some of the nation's most dangerous criminals has uncovered cleverly concealed cellphones, drugs and plans to make weapons.

Officers searched more than 20 cells at Auckland Prison's maximum security jail at Paremoremo over the weekend and found four cellphones, a battery charger, a large number of marijuana cigarettes and cannabis extracts in four of them.

There were also drawings of home-made weapons but officials would not say what they were.

The regional manager of Auckland Prison, Bret Bestic, yesterday would not name the inmates involved, but it is understood that notorious robber and prison escaper Arthur Taylor was at the centre of the secret stash.

Sources told the New Zealand Herald that small tools essential in hiding the contraband were found on the 42-year-old's body.

Taylor spent a week on the run in June last year after escaping from Paremoremo with three fellow inmates.

Mr Bestic would not say where the items were secreted, only that they were "well hidden ... very cunning indeed."

He was particularly disturbed by the discovery of cellphones, which would enable inmates to bypass prison telephone security.

He did not believe the items were being used to plan an escape, however, and thought they were instead destined for the prison black market, where they would have "great value."

He had decided not to make the shakedown public - until approached by the Herald yesterday - as staff had other inquiries to make and did not want accomplices to go to ground.

Guards suspected something was up after watching the body language and activities of some of the people concerned and decided to mount a raid on Saturday.

"The results of the search show the value of constant vigilance," said Mr Bestic.

The inmates were in the prison's B-Block at the time, giving them visitor contact privileges which other prisoners did not have.

It was believed that visitors smuggled in the items - the cellphones possibly in bits - over several trips. Inmates would now be forced to talk to visitors through special booths designed to prevent contact.

It was also likely that they would be moved to D-Block, the prison's toughest wing, following a disciplinary hearing.

Mr Bestic had no plans to review prison security, despite the find.

"We stop a hell of a lot [of contraband] but we can't stop them all."