Kent Institution staff seize drone, contraband

Staff at the Kent Institution seized almost $125,000 worth of contraband and other unauthorized items from inmates Sunday, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) says.

One of the items seized at the maximum-security prison, which is located in Agassiz, was a drone. Other items included cellphones, SD cards, handmade weapons, and cannabis concentrate.

In a news release, the CSC said the seizure happened “as a result of the vigilance of staff members.”

The service says it uses a variety of tools to prevent drugs from getting into its prisons, including drug-detector dogs and ion scanners. It says it is working to increase prevention measures and has set up an anonymous telephone tip line (1-866-780-3784) for anyone with any information about any activities related to drug use or trafficking within the institutions.

The Kent Institution houses 378 inmates and was opened in 1979 to replace the former BC Penitentiary. It is the only maximum-security facility in the Pacific Region.

The CSC says police have been notified and the institution is conducting an investigation.