A LAUNCESTON woman has admitted smuggling several packages of drugs into Risdon Prison before finally getting caught.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Katilyn Louise Brown, 20, whose hardcore drug use stems from a horrific upbringing, smuggled the contraband in return for drugs, the Launceston Magistrates Court heard.
On February 9 last year Brown used the toilets at a nearby tavern to insert balloons containing the drugs into her body.
Before she arrived at Risdon, prison officers were tipped off and Brown was detained in a holding area while police arrived.
Two female police officers searched Brown and discovered the balloons which contained cannabis, speed, ice, opioids, five ecstasy pills and syringes.
In a police interview Brown said she received the package, had known it contained drugs _ but not which ones _ and was told to take it in to Risdon.
She revealed she'd delivered drugs to a Risdon inmate previously and was paid in meth.
Brown was charged and pleaded guilty to bringing unauthorised items into a prison and various other minor drug charges.
Her lawyer Mark Doyle yesterday said Brown came from a family of ``gross dysfunction' where she'd suffered physical abuse.
In turn she became an abuser of drugs and alcohol until she was using ice and morphine on a daily basis.
Mr Doyle said his client's offending had been driven by the need to obtain drugs.
Magistrate Reg Marron ordered she be remanded, describing it as ``state sponsored detox''.
``Hopefully no one will be able to deliver anything to you while you're in custody,'' Mr Marron said.
Liberal justice spokeswoman Vanessa Goodwin said the incoming government would meet prison management to discuss contraband smuggling.
``The incoming Liberal government takes the issue of contraband very seriously and recognises the importance of an effective detection regime,'' Dr Goodwin said.
The Tasmania Prison Service said it would not comment on security matters.
Community and Public Sector Union Tasmania's assistant secretary Mat Johnston said his members were vigilant against drug use in prison and there had been no recent increase in it.
Brown will be sentenced on May 14.