A Corrections officer has been apprehended for allegedly attempting to smuggle marijuana, suki and mobile phones into the Minimum Correction Centre in Naboro during his second shift on night guard duty.
The Fiji Corrections Service says the officer was allegedly discovered in possession of marijuana, two mobile phones without SIM cards, and suki (80cm) during a routine shift change.
They say he was previously under suspicion for potentially being used by inmates to smuggle contraband into the facility.
The Corrections Service says on the night of his second shift, the officer brought a bag, which he placed inside the gatekeeper's room.
They say after being assigned to guard dormitory C by the officer in-charge of the night shift, he was observed leaving his post around 12.30am.
They say he was seen heading towards the segregation block to the guard room, where he took two parcels containing marijuana and suki from his bag and packed them into his pockets.
The Corrections Service says other officers, who had been monitoring the officer’s movements, approached him as he attempted to return to his post.
They say upon searching him, they confiscated the contraband and found two mobile phones in his bag.
They say the suspect was immediately taken into custody, and his statement was recorded.
He is currently being held at the Emergency Control Unit base awaiting further investigation and will face disciplinary proceedings.
The Corrections Service says they maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct and contraband smuggling within its facilities.
They say this incident underscores their commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of the corrections centres.
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