Manitoba man allegedly ingested drugs to smuggle into prison: RCMP

Mounties say a Manitoba man is in custody after he allegedly ingested a balloon filled with methamphetamine with the purpose of smuggling the drugs into a prison.

A male driver flagged down Selkirk RCMP Monday afternoon after he picked up a hitchhiker who was refusing to leave his vehicle.

Officers took the suspect to the city detachment after it was found he had numerous outstanding warrants, including a parole warrant.

RCMP said in a release that officers began to suspect the man may have ingested drugs in an attempt to smuggle them into a prison because he repeatedly asked to be taken to a specific institution.

The man was taken to hospital to ensure his safety where he used a washroom and passed a balloon filled with 34 grams of methamphetamine.

A Manitoba man is in custody after he allegedly ingested a balloon filled with methamphetamine with the purpose of smuggling the drugs into a prison. (Source: RCMP)

Willam Fuller, who is 26, from Anola, Man., has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and has been remanded into custody.

Staff Sgt. Kyle McFayden said officers have seen a number of people turn themselves in for the purpose of smuggling drugs into prison.

"Thankfully these officers recognized this and took precautions to ensure the male was not injured and the drugs were recovered," McFayden said Tuesday.

"Ingesting drugs is incredibly dangerous and can lead to death."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 10, 2023.