Contraband haul uncovered in raid at Westville prison
The raid followed intelligence gathered over a period of time, which officials said led to a successful drug bust.
Crystal meth, woonga, mandrax, dagga, cellphones and homemade weapons were seized during a surprise intelligence-driven raid at Westville Correctional Services on Thursday night.
National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale led the unannounced operation at the prison’s maximum security sections and the remand detainees’ kitchen unit.
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The raid followed intelligence gathered over a period of time, which officials said led to a successful drug bust.
Correctional Services officials confiscated crystal meth, woonga, mandrax, packets of dagga, cellphones and sharp objects, including knives, hidden inside the units.
Thobakgale said the operation formed part of the department’s efforts to strengthen security and clamp down on contraband inside correctional centres.
“This operation is driven by information that was received and followed over a particular period, culminating in today’s search and drug bust,” he said.
We are determined to disrupt criminal syndicates operating within our correctional centres and eliminate the smuggling of contraband by offenders and any officials who may be involved.
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The department said it would continue carrying out intelligence-led operations to combat the smuggling of drugs, weapons and other prohibited items into prisons.
It said the raids formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates, root out corruption and ensure correctional facilities remain safe and secure.