A crackdown on visitors bringing illicit items into Highpoint prison in Stradishall has led to the arrest of one man and another man banned from entering the prison in the future.
Officers from Suffolk police, the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), HMP Highpoint and the Special Constabulary conducted a round of searches at the prison on Friday October 20 targeting visitors bringing in contraband.
Using a specialist drug dog, 40 visitors were searched and a wrap of a suspected controlled substance was seized.
A 29-year-old man from the Harlow area of Essex was arrested on suspicion of conveying prohibited items into prison.
He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning and was later released under investigation pending further enquiries.
The searches also led to a second man being banned from entering the prison in the future after being suspected of facilitating the passing of a prohibited item.
Inspector Danny Cooper, local policing commander for Haverhill, said he hoped the arrest would be a warning to anyone thinking of bringing in prohibited items to the prison in the future.
He said: “I am pleased with the result of this operation which is a continuation of the partnership work we are doing with ERSOU and Highpoint staff to tackle the issue of contraband goods in prison.
“Special Constables from west Suffolk played a key role in searching on the day and their support is really appreciated.
“We will continue to conduct random visitor checks at the prison and hope that these will act as a warning to those thinking of trying to bring illegal items in that it will not be tolerated.”
Garry Newnes, deputy governor at HMP Highpoint, added: “The smuggling of illicit items into the establishment poses a significant risk to the safety of those in our care and our staff.
“We will take every reasonable step to prevent this from happening.
“Visits are provided to maintain positive family contact and aid rehabilitation and should not be used as a conduit for illegal activity.
“We will continue to work with our colleagues from Suffolk Police to deal robustly with anyone attempting to traffic into the establishment.”
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