Irish prison bosses on high alert over potentially lethal drug with Nike symbol entering jails

Prison bosses are on high alert of a potential lethal drug entering Irish jails, the Irish Sunday Mirror has learned.

It’s understood the governors and staff of jails across the country have been told to be on the look out for a psychedelic drug that has been causing nasty side effects on the streets.

The tablet, known by its signature Nike swoosh symbol, is understood to make users “go crazy and out of control”.

A prison source said warders and staff have been told to be on the lookout for it over the next few weeks.

The insider said: “Drug use at the moment is at an all time high in the jails.

“The prisons have been told to be on high alert for a very dangerous drug which is currently on the streets.

“It’s a psychedelic tablet which can cause users to go absolutely crazy and could make someone do something very dangerous. There have apparently been a number of cases of people having very bad effects from it in Cork on the streets.

“The worry is that it will make it from the streets into the prison system.”

A total of 1,138 drug seizures were made across Irish jails last year – an increase on 2017 figures of 1,018.

Dublin’s Wheatfield Prison topped the chart with 403 finds, followed by 221 in Mountjoy and 155 in Cloverhill.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said every possible measure is taken to try and stop contraband entering the jails.

He said: “Concerted efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent the flow of drugs into our prisons, by for example, the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, enhanced CCTV monitoring, the stricter control of visits and the use of targeted and random cell searches on a daily basis.

“As well as this the introduction of passive and active drug detection dogs and the installation of airport-style security including scanners and X-ray machines has helped efforts to tackle the problem.

“Random searches of cells and their occupants have uncovered significant quantities of contraband in recent years.”

The spokesman added: “Nevertheless, the Irish Prison Service recognises that constant improvements are required in this area.

“Additional security measures aimed a further enhancing the security of
our prisons include the introduction of a free confidential telephone line which is now operational.

“Prisoner, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into our prisons can pass on that information in the strictest confidence.

“The telephone line was introduced to provide members of the general public and prisoners with a means to call the Prison Service with information about any matter relating to smuggling or attempts at smuggling of prohibited articles such as drugs, weapon and mobile phones.”

• The phone line – 1800 855 717 – will be operated like Crimebusters, run by An Garda Siochana, and will be manned from 8am to 8pm. Calls outside this time will be dealt with by an answering machine.