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Wellington's beleaguered Rimutaka Prison is in the spotlight again after a prison unit manager was arrested on drugs charges.
The arrest comes after a six week covert operation at the prison.
As someone who is meant to keep the inmates in check, Prison Unit Manager Geoff Reid is now himself accused of flouting the law.
An investigation began in April after the Rimutaka Prison's Intelligence Unit got word of a drug ring on the inside.
Reid and five others are facing a range of cannabis charges including cultivation and supply.
"I can confirm that the cannabis cultivation side of the investigation was external to the prison. It's just that some of the players in the syndicate were actively taking a part from within the walls," Police Officer Darrin Thomson told ONE News.
Reid was in charge of around 50 prisoners and other Corrections staff.
He had only recently been moved to Rimutaka Prison, but has worked for Corrections since 1993.
"I can tell you that other staff will be stunned: they'll be angry that someone who's actually been working with them has actually been working against them and what they're all trying to do," Corrections Department CEO Barry Matthews said.
Reid was stood down on Thursday after he was arrested, and a decision on his future with the department will be made on Friday, with Matthews saying "he'll have to come up with some very good reasons as to why he shouldn't be suspended."
A meeting has been set up on Monday with the Corrections Minister to discuss further development, and the accused will appear in court next Wednesday.
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