Warders go down for tik dealing

It was almost too easy for a group of warders at Worcester prison who allegedly came to work with pockets full of drugs to distribute to prisoners.

But a police raid at the prison resulted in the arrest of five warders for allegedly transporting drugs .

"We are expecting more arrests. The investigation is not limited to this prison," Western Cape Correctional Services commissioner Delekile Klaas said.

The five warders are expected to appear in court on Monday.

A source said the warders took advantage of the fact that they were not searched when starting their shift. It is believed that they were on the payroll of gangsters who wanted to get supplies to dealers behind bars.

The arrests were part of an 18-month-long investigation, Operation Combat.

Klaas said Correctional Services was tackling the problem of knives and drugs, including tik and Mandrax, being smuggled into prisons in Western Cape.

He said gangsters in prisons tried to recruit warders.

"We tell the warders, when you're recruited, come to us. In some cases we transfer them to other prisons," he said.

Klaas said prisons were searched almost daily and "we find cellphones, knives and sharp objects" brought in by relatives visiting inmates, by awaiting-trial detainees who obtain them at court - and by warders.