An inmate who had steroids in his shoes and other prohibited drugs in jail has been given a further jail sentence.
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Moroni Tongahai, 34, an inmate of Goulburn Correctional Centre, pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited drug, a mobile phone SIM card and steroids when he appeared by audio-visual link in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.
Police facts tendered in court said a search was conducted on January 22 on a locker after Tongahai had received a visit.
Contraband seized from it included three tobacco cigarettes and 10 small balloons containing a white powder, later identified as 0.61g of cocaine.
On January 26, a further search of Tongahai’s cell found a 64GB USB, 16GB and 32GB micro SD cards and a card reader between the mattress and a wall.
A plastic glove, found on Tongahai, contained 1.5g amphetamine, 0.15g fluoroamphetamine and four “buprenorphine wafers”, which are a prescribed restricted substance.
A further search found contraband in the tongues of his shoes, including 23 square orange pills, 26 aqua pills and tobacco (19g).
Forensic analysis confirmed these pills were steroids, for which Tongahai did not have a prescription.
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said it was clear Tongahai should not have such items in jail.
“A strong message needs to go out that inmates cannot have these items in prison,” Ms Beattie said.
She said Tongahai’s earliest release date would be 2027, “beyond the jurisdiction of my court”.
“But full-time custody is the only appropriate option,” she said.
She sentenced Tongahai to 15 months’ imprisonment.