Prison Officer caught with ganja in vest, living quarters

A 26-year-old Prison Officer of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, was caught with 502.2 grammes of cannabis at the Mazaruni Prison on Friday.

Police Headquarters revealed that the officer was searched after his bulletproof vest appeared bulky.

“The search, conducted in his presence, led to the discovery of one transparent bulky parcel containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis concealed in the vest,” the police said.

The matter was reported to the police and ranks subsequently visited the prison, where the narcotic was handed over. The substance was weighed in the presence of the suspect and amounted to 474.6 grammes.

Further enquiries led to a search being conducted at the suspect’s living quarters within the prison compound, where an additional black bulky parcel containing a transparent package with leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found on his bed. That quantity was weighed in his presence and amounted to 27.6 grammes.

The suspect and the cannabis, which amounted to 502.2 grams were escorted to the Bartica Police Station where the cannabis was lodged.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.