The synthetic drug N-Bomb is becoming increasingly popular among inmates in New Zealand prisons.
Newshub was granted access into a high security unit at Wellington's Rimutaka Prison, and got an insight into what staff can be confronted with on a daily basis -- our presence created a bit of excitement for the inmates who were locked down for lunchtime.
Prison muster levels are at record levels around the country and staff say there's potential for an increase in volatility and, potentially, the amount of contraband.
"There are more visitors coming in, there are more movements to court and hospital, and we need to maintain vigilance at all times," Ms Whelan said.
The latest threat is the potent halluncinogen, N-Bomb -- the same drug that led to the hospitalisation of eight soldiers from Linton Military Camp.
A drug intelligence report says "staff have identified N-Bombs as an emerging risk in prisons. The ease with which N-Bombs can be concealed is likely facilitating this trend."
Corrections officers have found bunches of the tiny blotter tabs concealed under postage stamps.
"Anything that's hallucinogenic and get people to act unpredictably is obviously going to be unsafe in this environment. You've got a lot of people in a confined space," specialist search manager John Gallagher said.
They've only seized it three times -- but are doing what they can to sniff out any further consignments.
"We've had seizures hidden under a stamp on a letter...picked up by a detector dog," he said.
Inmates try all sorts of methods to smuggle in drugs and, despite the ban, tobacco remains the biggest problem. Cellphones are also popular.
"Our clientele are the tougest in society. They have the ability to be sitting in their cell thinking of ways to beat the system and so we constantly have to remain on top of that," Mr Gallagher said.
"We are dealing with the worst of people in society so they can be very unpredictable -- but I have to say my staff are professional and deal with every situation really well."
Officers don't claim to be winning the contraband fight -- but say they're using every resource available to stop it coming in.
Newshub.
