Seizure of Unauthorized Items at La Macaza Institution

LAVAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 23, 2014) - Correctional Service Canada

On July 21, 2014 at about 9:35 p.m., as a result of the vigilance of staff members, two packages containing unauthorized items were seized at La Macaza Institution, a medium level security federal institution.

This seizure is the result of the combined efforts of correctional officers, the detector-dog team and the security intelligence officers. The contraband seized includes 400 grams of tobacco. The total institutional value of this seizure is estimated at $16,000.

The police have been notified and the institution is investigating.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates and staff members working at CSC institutions.

The toll-free number, 1-866-780-3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.

CSC is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) introduced a complete smoking ban in all federal correctional institutions in 2008.