Detector dog River foils second Christchurch prison drug smuggling attempt

A detector dog has once again halted contraband from entering Christchurch Men’s Prison, this time putting a stop to drugs from entering through a parcel disguised as CDs.

When checking the incoming mail and property, the team noticed a strange smell from a courier parcel, and River gave a positive indication of narcotics in the parcel.

Five CD cases were searched, containing 10.43g of cannabis. Photo / Supplied

A CD was taken out and officers proceeded to remove the backing plate, behind which they found cannabis in plastic-wrapped squares.

Five CD cases were searched, containing 10.43g of cannabis in total.

River the detector dog. Photo / Supplied

Regional dog sector manager Kevin Hattrill said he was proud of the “great catch” by River and handler Christian, who did not want his last name used.

“Our highly trained detector dogs are a critical part of our work to improve public safety and the safety of our work environments,” Hattrill said.

Officers noticed a strange smell from a courier parcel. Photo / Supplied

It’s not the first time River has foiled prohibited items from entering Christchurch Men’s Prison.

Last month, River was tasked with checking items at the receiving office when she came across a brown paper bag containing a fan for a prisoner.

Again, she indicated that narcotics were sealed within the fan

When staff unscrewed the fan, they found a range of contraband, including 1.68g of methamphetamine, 2.4g of marijuana, 11.73g of tobacco, and a cell phone and charger.

River had been tasked with checking items at the receiving office when she made the discovery. Photo / Supplied

River’s hard work has not gone unnoticed.

She is a two-time Corrections National Champion in Body Pack Search, claiming the title in 2023 and 2024, which involves identifying contraband concealed on a person.

A range of methods are used at prisons across New Zealand to prevent drugs, weapons, cellphones and other prohibited items from entering.

They include 24 detector dog teams, X-ray technology, monitoring of prisoner telephone calls and single points of entry to sites.

Both incidents were reported to police for further investigation.