News release

Drug Seizure at Southwest Nova Scotia Correctional Facility

Justice

A package was found on the roof of the Southwest Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Yarmouth and another was thrown into an exercise area later in the day on Saturday, Aug. 13, Department of Justice officials said today, Aug. 14.

The package on the roof, containing 69 pills and tobacco, was discovered around 2:30 p.m.

About an hour later, a package was thrown over a wall of the facility into an exercise court. Two people were seen running away from the perimeter fence and the RCMP were notified.

Eight offenders were in the exercise court at the time. A short time later they were observed drinking from a liquor bottle and smoking. The offenders refused to leave the area. The facility went into lockdown and an incident response team was assembled. The incident was resolved peacefully when the offenders agreed to return to their cells around 7 p.m.

A search of the exercise area found three small empty pill bottles and a small plastic empty liquor bottle hidden in a storm drain. No contraband was uncovered during a search of the offenders. The lockdown ended at about 8:30 p.m.

Department of Justice officials are reviewing the incident.