More drugs, weapons found in 2nd search of penitentiary

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Officers found more weapons and drugs during a second search of the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln.

The Nebraska Correctional Services Department deployed K-9 teams after a lockdown was imposed at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. Department Director Scott Frakes says nearly 40 officers from other law enforcement agencies joined department employees in the hunt for contraband.

A Sept. 4 lockdown and sweep of the prison also found homemade weapons, cellphones, drugs and other items. The inspector general for corrections, Doug Koebernick, said in a report released Monday that prison staffers were concerned that parts or all of some housing units were not searched during the earlier lockdown.

Frakes says in a news release that Wednesday’s “larger operation was always part of a bigger plan.”