PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jun 16, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Monday said that a prison officer attached to the o the Arouca Maximum Security Prison, east of here, had been arrested and charged with multiple serious offences, including drug trafficking and the unlawful possession of prohibited articles.
It said that the arrest of the prison officer followed a coordinated intelligence-led exercise last Wednesday and stemming from an initial report made on May 20 this year when officers received credible information regarding the 28-year-old prison officer, allegedly being in possession of prohibited items while on duty at the Arouca Maximum Security Prison.
The TTPS said that following preliminary inquiries, the suspect was arrested and later released pending further investigations. But he was re-arrested outside the Arouca Maximum Security Prison and a search warrant was executed at his residence. However, no illegal items were discovered at that location.
But last Friday, after further interviews legal advice was sought from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charges of misbehavior in public office for trafficking a dangerous drug (Cocaine) into the prison in exchange for payment.
The prison officer was also charged with another count of misbehavior in public office for bringing prohibited items into the prison, including multiple cellular phones, sim cards, chargers, headsets, and USB cables as well as trafficking in a dangerous drug, specifically cocaine, into the Arouca Maximum Security Prison.
The suspect was formally charged last Saturday and is scheduled to appear before the Arima Masters Court this week.
CMC/ag/ir/2025