Prison officer, 31, who helped smuggle cocaine and a mobile phone into convicted murderer’s cell at maximum-security jail after ‘forming a close relationship’ is now facing time behind bars herself
- Heather McKenzie was working at HMP Shotts when she teamed up with convicted murderer Zak Malavin to supply drugs to inmates
- McKenzie will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on February 23
A prison officer is facing time behind bars after helping to smuggle cocaine into one of Scotland’s most notorious maximum-security jails.
Heather McKenzie was working at HMP Shotts – home to some of the country’s most hardened criminals – when she teamed up with convicted murderer Zak Malavin to supply drugs to inmates.
Prison officials and police started an investigation after noticing a significant rise in the quantities of drugs being found in the jail – and receiving a tip-off about possible staff corruption.
Intelligence suggested McKenzie, 31, was illegally bringing drugs and mobile phones into the prison.
Heather McKenzie (pictured) was working at HMP Shotts – home to some of the country’s most hardened criminals – when she teamed up with a convicted murderer
Zak Malavin who is serving life for murdering a man in a park by attacking him with a sword, was found to have an iPhone, 1.45g of cocaine and a sleeping pill in his cell
Malavin, serving life for murdering a man in a park by attacking him with a sword, was found to have an iPhone, 1.45g of cocaine and a sleeping pill in his cell when officers searched it in May 2020.
A search the following month uncovered two knotted bags containing a further 5.7g of cocaine, while data on the iPhone revealed texts and calls to McKenzie.
Police later raided McKenzie’s home in Forth, Lanarkshire, and arrested her after finding £2,500 in cash, mobile phones, syringes and trenbolone – a powerful steroid – as well as traces of cocaine and 28g of another drug, benzocaine.
An iPhone found by police had a missed WhatsApp call from a contact named ‘Zak’. Further analysis discovered a string of WhatsApp messages between Malavin and McKenzie. Evidence suggested criminal associates had come to McKenzie’s home to hand her drugs, phones and money, which she would then smuggle into prison and stash near Malavin’s cell.
McKenzie, a mother of two, appeared at the High Court in Lanark and admitted supplying Malavin and others with drugs at HMP Shotts between March and October 2020. She also admitted giving Malavin an illicit mobile phone and sim card.
McKenzie, a mother of two, appeared at the High Court in Lanark and admitted supplying Malavin and others with drugs at HMP Shotts (pictured) between March and October 2020
Advocate depute Graeme Jessop, prosecuting, said: ‘A joint operation by the Scottish Prison Service and Police Scotland investigating alleged corruption by staff within HMP Shotts commenced in March 2020.
‘This operation was initiated after disclosures were made to SPS surrounding the involvement of serving prison officers in corrupt and criminal practices, including the supply of controlled drugs and the introduction of mobile phones to the prison.
The now accused was identified as one of the prison officers suspected of introducing controlled drugs, mobile devices and other articles into the prison.
‘Further, consistent intelligence was received purporting that the accused had formed a close relationship with a prisoner who is serving a life sentence.’
Mr Jessop told the court the quantities of drugs and number of mobile phones recovered from McKenzie’s home were ‘minimal’ but evidence revealed the ‘nature and frequency’ of the smuggling.
The prosecutor added: ‘The recovered messages show that the prisoner arranged for persons as yet unidentified to meet with the accused to drop off drugs, phones and money. The relationship continued with both the accused and the prisoner initiating conversations regarding the introduction of controlled drugs and money into HMP Shotts.’
He said ‘the accused appeared to have been paid money to do so’.
Judge David Young, KC, deferred sentence on McKenzie and continued bail. She will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on February 23.
Yesterday the Scottish Prison Service said: ‘We do not comment on individual cases. The vast majority of our staff work to the highest standard of conduct at all times.’
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