Chief Prison Officer interdicted, as cops step up drug-smuggling probe

The Chief Prison Officer who was implicated in a drug-smuggling scandal at the Timehri Prisons has been released from custody. A senior police official said that the rank “has been released into the custody of his organization,” while more work is done on the case. Police are likely to seek further legal advice on the matter shortly. Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels revealed that the accused rank has been interdicted from duty, pending the outcome of the investigation. The Chief Prison Officer (whose rank is equivalent to that of police inspector), was detained last Thursday, after it was alleged that he facilitated the smuggling of a quantity of marijuana into the prison. The drug was concealed among the prisoner’s meals.

The accused rank is in his fifties and has some 20 years service. Deputy Director of Prisons Samuels had repeatedly conceded that some of his ranks are in collusion with prisoners, and would face the full brunt of the law if they are caught. Marijuana is said to be a highly valued commodity in the prisons, reportedly selling for as much as three times its street value. Over the years, several prison wardens, including females, have been brought before the courts on allegations of smuggling. The smuggling weapons into the Camp Street Prison resulted in the death of one rank and permanent injury to another during the 2002 jailbreak.

(kaieteurnews)