News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STONY MOUNTAIN, MB, April 25, 2006 - In March 2006, Stony Mountain and Rockwood Institutions co-hosted the 2006 Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Prairie Region Institutional Search Coordinator/Dog Handler Conference. The conference attracted CSC and community law enforcement handlers and detector dogs from across the Prairies to enhance skills and share best practices.

In the weeks following the conference, the Stony Mountain detector dog, 'Samson', and Rockwood detector dog, 'Brew', along with their handlers were involved in intercepting and recovering an institutional value of over $40,000 worth of marijuana, cocaine, and pills at their institutions.

On March 22, 2006, as a result of 'Brew's assistance at Stony Mountain Institution, a visitor was found to be attempting to introduce drugs into the institution. The visitor and 25.5 grams of marijuana were turned over to the Stonewall Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

On April 3, 2006, 'Samson' recovered several packages containing 67 grams of marijuana and 4 grams of cocaine while patrolling the perimeter of Stony Mountain Institution.

On April 6, 2006, while checking areas of Rockwood Institution, 'Brew' located a package containing 6.5 grams of marijuana.

Again, on April 6, 2006, as the result of 'Samson's work at Stony Mountain Institution, a visitor was found to be attempting to introduce drugs to the institution. The visitor and the seized package were turned over to the Stonewall RCMP.

On April 7, 2006, in a collaborative effort, 'Samson' and 'Brew' were patrolling the perimeter of Stony Mountain Institution when both teams made seizures totaling 250 grams of marijuana and 20 grams of cocaine.

These particular seizures from the institutional dog handlers/detector dog teams highlight not only the CSC's zero tolerance policy but also the value of building relationships with our partners in the Criminal Justice System. The CSC's institutional dog handler and detector dog team program has been in effect for five years.

Stony Mountain Institution is a medium security federal penitentiary and Rockwood Institution is a minimum security federal penitentiary. Both are located 13 km north of Winnipeg.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Aimee Fortier
Communications Officer
(204) 344-5111, ext. 5636