Meth hidden in logs from Nigeria
The daring escape plot of three prisoners has been foiled after rumours of their plans circulated their maximum security prison and tipped off authorities.
Wedi Bembo, a notorious international drug smuggler facing 24 years in jail, who was implicated as one of the inmates involved was caught trying to import more than 125kg of pure methamphetamine from Nigeria to Melbourne in logs by the Australian Federal Police in 2016.
The Mail of Australia reports that the trio smuggled forks, spoons, and cutlery to dig out bricks in an attempted jail-break from Melbourne’s Port Phillip Prison discovered on Saturday.
It is speculated the convicts were conspiring to hijack or sneak aboard the prison’s rubbish truck.
This is because three bricks were lifted from a wall with bins situated on the other side, according to reports by The Herald Sun.
Bembo, the Congo-born criminal, and another, are alleged to have instructed the third player to conduct the dig through his cell.
They have all now been transferred to Barwon Prison, north of Geelong.
Authorities are investigating whether a plotter snuck in the digging tools.
One of the men worked in the jail reception area, and may have had access to the makeshift tools- which could have formed a crawl-sized space had the wall been breached.
The possibility of a $20,000 payment to aid in the escape is also being examined.
During the digs, completed overnight, the schemers had surpassed the internal wall, and were progressing through the reinforced outer layer.
Stolen paint and tissues were stuffed into gaps to disguise the missing mortar.
A .303 rifle bolt was also uncovered, which had potential to be easily transformed into a firearm with other improvised equipment.
Bembo was caught trying to import more than 125kg of pure methamphetamine from Nigeria to Melbourne in logs by the Australian Federal Police in 2016.
The bust, which had a street value of 80 million, was the second international scheme he had been linked to- with Australian criminal record history spanning back 20 years.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said: ‘Police are investigating an alleged attempted escape from a correctional facility in Truganina on September 14. Two prisoners will be interviewed.’
