The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) has confirmed the arrest of a Corrections Officer Class (COC) found attempting to smuggle illicit drugs and mobile phones into the Minimum Correction Centre during his second shift of night guard duty.
The officer was discovered with marijuana, two mobile phones without SIM cards, and an 80 cm piece of suki during a routine shift change. He had been under suspicion for potentially aiding inmates in smuggling contraband into the facility.
On the night of his second shift, the officer brought a bag, which he placed in the gatekeeper’s room. After being assigned to guard the C dormitory by the OC night, he was observed leaving his post around 12:30 AM.
The officer was seen heading toward the segregation block to the guard room, where he retrieved two parcels containing marijuana and suki from his bag and placed them into his pockets.
Other officers, who had been monitoring his movements, approached him as he attempted to return to his post. They searched him and confiscated the contraband, also finding two mobile phones in his bag.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody, and his statement was recorded. He is currently being held at the Emergency Control Unit (ECU) base awaiting further investigation and will face disciplinary proceedings.
The FCS upholds a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct and contraband smuggling within its facilities. This incident highlights FCS’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of its correctional centers.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.