The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) has announced the arrest of a Corrections Officer Class (COC) who was caught attempting to smuggle illicit drugs and mobile phones into the Minimum Correction Centre during his second night shift.
The officer was found with marijuana, two mobile phones without SIM cards, and an 80 cm length of suki during a routine shift change.
He was already under suspicion for possibly aiding inmates in smuggling contraband into the facility.
On his second night shift, the officer brought a bag, placing it inside the gatekeeper’s room.
Assigned to guard the C dormitory by the Officer in Charge of the night shift, he was observed leaving his post around 12:30 am.
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 put them in his pockets.
Other officers, who had been monitoring his activities, approached him as he attempted to return to his post.
During a search, they confiscated the contraband and found two mobile phones in his bag.
The suspect was immediately detained, and his statement was recorded.
He is currently held at the Emergency Control Unit (ECU) base awaiting further investigation and will face disciplinary proceedings.
The FCS emphasizes its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct and contraband smuggling within its facilities, stating that this incident reinforces their commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of their correction centers.