Police officers and a drug detection dog took part in a raid in the public and service areas, including the visiting rooms, of the prison last week.

The raid revealed no drugs at all but Labour and Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess promised there would be more searches in a bid to keep Westgate drug free.

He said ten Police officers took part in the search, which took place with the cooperation of Prison officers, which is part of an on-going initiative.

"It is important to note that the advance notice of the operation was restrictive,'' he said. "This will be repeated in the future, so that drug use can be eradicated from our prisons.

"It is my intention and that of the Commissioner of Prisons, Edward Dyer, to do all we can in our prisons to stop both the supply and demand for drugs in our prisons.'' More searches are scheduled to take place but the Minister said there would be no warnings to keep the element of surprise.

DRUGS DGS POLICE POL