Prisons officer held with contraband items

According to police reports, the officer who attempted to board the vessel at the Coast Guard Insulation to take up duty at Carrera Island at about 1.30 pm, was searched by OCNU officers.

A quantity of marijuana sealed in corn curls packs, an undisclosed sum of money and a cell phone were found on the Prisons Officer.

Police also searched the officer’s house at Mafeking Village, Mayaro, but nothing was found.

The Prisons Officer is due to appear at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court today.

OCNU are continuing investigations.

Prisons’ Officers Association (POA) president Michael Williams told Newsday the organisation was working in collaboration with the Prisons Administration to crack down on trafficking in the prisons.

“We have a zero tolerance policy on the issue of trafficking. We are hoping to get rid of this scourge that is in the Prisons Service. Trafficking gives the service a bad name,” Williams said.

The POA head said two members of executive were gathering more information on the officer’s arrest and he was hoping to get a full report from the police.

Meanwhile, Prisons Commis-sioner John Rougier said he was waiting for more information before he could comment on the matter.

He noted it was a police matter and a Prisons Administration tribunal will not be held.

Within the last year, 18 officers were held in a crackdown by a unit that was implemented by the Prisons Service and the OCNU to stop trafficking in the prisons.