A prison officer attached to the Mazaruni Prison and three others including his reputed wife were on Thursday charged in relation to the discovery of 856 grams of marijuana.
The prison officer, Walter Benn pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to two years and five months imprisonment. His case was heard at the Bartica Magistrate Court.
The three other accused: Benn’s wife, Tecina Angel Willis, a 22-year-old firewoman of, Bartica; Melissa Allen, a vendor and Rhon Smith, a 36-year-old construction worker, were charged jointly.

They too appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court. However, the trio denied the allegation and were granted bail in the sum of $80,000 each.
The matter was adjourned to March 12, 2025.
Police Headquarters in a statement said the marijuana was unearthed in Benn’s possession while a routine search was conducted at the prison’s front gate.
At the time, Benn was returning to the facility after signing a document.

“Benn presented an Ensure bottle in a black plastic bag, which, upon inspection, was found to contain cannabis. The matter was reported, and Benn was arrested,” Police said.
According to the Police, Benn was questioned in the presence of Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, Rodey Denhart and he admitted to having more narcotics in his living quarters and home.
As such, a search was conducted which led to the discovery of three more Ensure bottles containing suspected cannabis, totalling 272 grams, at his living quarters.

Further investigations were carried and around 20:00hrs Wednesday, Police said ranks went to Benn’s residence. There, Police said, Willis admitted to transferring the narcotics and three cell phones Allen.
Allen then passed the illegal items to Smith, for concealment.
Smith later led investigators to a clump of bushes behind his home, where nine additional Ensure bottles containing suspected cannabis and three cell phones were recovered.
The total narcotics seized amounted to 856 grams.