An inmate at HMP The Verne in Portland, Dorset, is under investigation after prison officers discovered what is believed to be a cannabis plant in his cell. The prisoner, reportedly a convicted drug dealer, allegedly attempted to disguise the plant as a tomato bush and even decorated it as a Christmas tree to avoid detection.
The plant, which stood no more than 18 inches high, was found during a routine cell search. A prison officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Prisoners are allowed plants in their cells, usually spider plants. When officers saw this one, they suspected what it was and sent it for testing.”
If confirmed as cannabis, the prisoner will face internal disciplinary procedures. A Prison Service spokesman confirmed: “Prison officers identified a plant in a cell which they believed to be cannabis. The plant was sent for testing. Our comprehensive security measures include searching cells, using search dogs and mandatory drug testing of prisoners.”
The incident follows a previous case at the same prison in September, where inmates consumed alcohol-based hand gel intended to combat swine flu in an attempt to get drunk. The Prison Service removed the gel pumps as a precautionary measure. Additionally, officers recently confiscated two matchstick models with hidden compartments, believed to be designed to conceal mobile phones.
