Corruption alleged at Upper Hutt prison

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A major police investigation is looking into suspected staff corruption at Rimutaka Prison.

It’s alleged numerous staff smuggled contraband, including drugs, to inmates, laundered money through their bank accounts and forged official documents.

Much of the suspected illicit activity is thought to have been for Mongrel Mob gang members, but there may also be links to organised crime groups offshore. The staff involved were allegedly given money as payment.

National Organised Crime Group manager, Detective Inspector Stuart Mills, confirmed the inquiry had been going since July.

”A large number of interviews have been completed with staff from Rimutaka Prison and the vast majority of these staff members have been co-operative," he said.

“The investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been laid at this stage.” He said an earlier police investigation prompted the inquiry, which also involved Wellington police and Corrections were involved.

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis said he was aware of the investigation, which related to “alleged offending that began some years ago".

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