Major contraband seizure at Mountain Institution in Agassiz

AGASSIZ — Corrections officials say staff seized more than $300,000 of contraband and unauthorized goods at the Mountain Institution in Agassiz last week.

In a news release, Corrections Canada says the package containing the contraband and unauthorized items included cellphones, charging cables, accessories and shatter, a cannabis concentrate.

It values the seizure at $308,440 and credits the vigilance of staff members at the medium security prison for their role in the seizure.

Corrections Canada says police have been notified and an investigation is underway within the institution.

The agency has established a toll-free tip line for all of its institutions to gather information related to security concerns, including drug use and trafficking. Callers to 1-866-780-3784 remain anonymous while providing information that may help protect the safety of correctional facilities.