Anola man charged after trying to smuggle meth-filled balloon into prison: Manitoba RCMP

A 26-year-old man is in police custody and facing a drug trafficking charge after officers say he attempted to smuggle meth into a Manitoba prison after his arrest.

RCMPofficers on patrol in Selkirk were flagged down by a driver at a business on Main Streetaround 3:25 a.m. Monday, police said in a Tuesday news release.

The man told police he had picked up a hitchhiker who had become disruptive and was refusing to leave his car.

Mounties spoke with the hitchhikerand found out hewas wanted on a number of outstanding warrants,including a parole warrant.

After being arrested and taken to the Selkirk RCMPdetachment, the man repeatedly pushed to be taken to a different facility, police said.

Officers suspected the man had ingested drugsand wasattempting to smuggle them into a prison.

He was instead taken to hospital, where he eventually passed a balloon filled with 34 grams of methamphetamine, police said.

Officers have recently seen an increase in people turning themselves in specifically for the purpose of smuggling drugs into prison,Selkirk RCMP Staff Sgt. Kyle McFadyensaid in the news release.

The 26-year-old man fromAnola, Man., has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was remanded into custody.