One of the nations biggest prison kitchens has been caught cooking up some criminality, with a drug distribution network busted by authorities.
Methamphetamine, steroids and tobacco are among the contraband worth an estimated $500,000 found hidden in boxes of paper at a prison at Windsor, in northwest Sydney.
The acting governor of Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre suspects the items were delivered by a mule, who was captured on CCTV unloading the boxes and dumping them at the kitchen loading dock.
The site prepares and distributes thousands of inmate meals across the state each week.
"Our cook-freeze kitchen prepares food for inmates in every corner of the state - there's no reason for boxes of paper to be left there," Renee Craft said on Friday.
"Our specially trained officers knew something was amiss and subsequently stopped the contraband from making its way into the prison network."
Officers seized the boxes on May 31 and the drugs were destroyed.
The haul included 3.2kg of tobacco, 1111 tablets (steroids and unknown substances), 304 strips of buprenorphine, 140 packets of tobacco rolling papers, 200ml of anabolic steroids and 44g of crystal methamphetamine.
Corrective Services has a zero tolerance for banned items entering prison sites, Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said.
"Our officers have exceptional skills and instincts, and are well-trained to detect these items, whether it's in boxes, on a person or secreted," he said.
© AAP 2023