By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Imagine that – a bottle of Puncheon Rum was among the items seized on Wednesday from the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre at Santa Rosa.
Prohibited items continue to enter prison compounds, but in recent times, there has been an increase in seizures by prison officers. Several prison officers have been charged in the past for bringing in these prohibited articles.
In a media release on Thursday, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service advised that a search exercise was conducted at the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre on Wednesday, August 19 between the hours of 1:40 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. targeting specific cells based on intelligence received.
During the exercise, prison officers recovered and confiscated the following prohibited articles:
* Four (4) cellular phones;
* Eleven (11) cellular phone batteries;
* Three (3) power banks;
* Three (3) charging blocks;
* Two (2) headsets;
* Five (5) packs of wrapping paper;
* Two hundred and seventy-four (274) cigarettes;
* Three (3) cigarette lighters;
* One hundred and forty-six (146) grams of plant-like material resembling that of marijuana;
* One (1) 50ml bottle of puncheon rum;
* Nine (9) improvised weapons;
* One (1) digital scale; and
* One (1) mini zip-lock bag containing a white powder-like substance.
Investigations surrounding the discovery of these prohibited articles are continuing.
Acting Commissioner of Prisons Elvin Scanterbury commended the diligence, professionalism and commitment demonstrated by all officers involved in the search exercise. He acknowledged the challenging nature of the duties performed by Prisons Officers and reaffirmed the Prison Service’s commitment to supporting its officers in maintaining safety, security and good order across the nation’s prisons.
The release stated, “The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service remains steadfast in its commitment to the fight against crime and the protection of society, and will continue to ensure that all persons found culpable of such offences are held accountable and face the full brunt of the law.”
