Contraband Smuggling in Canada’s Prisons: Inside the $140K Bust

B.C. prison staff intercepted a major smuggling attempt—what it reveals about a growing crisis inside Canada’s correctional system. Contraband smuggling in Canada’s prisons is becoming an increasingly troubling issue.

Contraband Smuggling in Canada’s Prisons: What the Mountain Institution Bust Reveals

In March 2025, officers at Mountain Institution, a federal prison in Agassiz, B.C., found a package filled with over $140,000 worth of illegal items. The package had meth, shatter (a cannabis product), tobacco, phones, SIM cards, and chargers. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of contraband smuggling in Canada’s prisons.

This large bust shows how serious contraband smuggling in Canada’s prisons has become. Officers acted quickly to stop these items from reaching inmates. Correctional Service Canada (CSC) confirmed the seizure and said it’s part of a growing trend.

A Bigger Problem Behind Bars

Smuggling in prisons is getting more advanced. Inmates and outside helpers are using drones, cellphones, and sneaky drop-offs to bring in illegal items. Even with new drone detection systems, prison staff often struggle to stop smuggling attempts in Canada’s prisons.

CSC is also testing body scanners and cellphone detectors, but these tools don’t always catch everything.

→ Also read: Understanding Prison Security Measures

Why Contraband Smuggling in Canada’s Prisons Keeps Growing

Many inmates turn to smuggling because they deal with addiction, mental health issues, and pressure from gangs. Some want drugs. Others want phones to contact people outside. The high demand for these items is what drives contraband smuggling in Canada’s prisons.

The prison system doesn’t always give enough help to deal with these problems. That’s why the demand for illegal items stays high. Read more in Challenges in Inmate Rehabilitation.

Public Safety Canada has promised reforms, but change has been slow.

What Happens Next?

Illegal items in prisons are dangerous. Drugs and phones can lead to fights, threats, and more crime inside and outside the prison. They also make prisons less safe for both staff and inmates, worsening the issue of contraband smuggling in Canada’s prisons.

CSC wants to bring in more tools, like AI systems and better cameras. But experts say that won’t work alone. Prisons also need more support staff, better mental health programs, and addiction treatment.

“You can’t just add tech and expect results,” said one expert. “We need to fix what’s causing the problem, too.”

Why This Matters

This $140K bust shows us more than just one incident. It shows that smuggling in Canada’s prisons is a bigger, growing issue. Fixing it will take both smart tools and real human care. ReadMore

Without action, Canada’s prison system could become even more unsafe—for everyone.