A PRISON officer has been charged for multiple serious offences, including drug trafficking and the unlawful possession of prohibited articles.
Te 28-year-old Prison Officer 1, of Williamsville, was allegedly in possession of prohibited items while on duty at the Arouca Maximum Security Prison.
He was arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led exercise on June 11, between the hours of 12.05 pm and 11 pm, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) stated in a media release on Monday and stemmed from an initial report made on May 20.
The suspect was formally charged on Saturday by Cpl Williams and is currently at the Besson Street Police Station.
He is scheduled to appear before the Arima Masters Court on Monday to answer the charges.
Following preliminary inquiries, the suspect was arrested and later released pending further investigations.
Subsequently, on June 11, he was re-arrested outside the Arouca Maximum Security Prison.
A search warrant was executed at his residence, however, no illegal items were discovered at that location.
Investigations continued under the guidance of Ag/ASP Mongroo.
 On Friday, after further interviews conducted by Cpls Seechan and Williams, legal advice was sought from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which led to the following charges being laid:
1.      Misbehavior in Public Office – for trafficking a dangerous drug (cocaine) into the prison in exchange for payment.
2.      Misbehavior in Public Office – for bringing prohibited items into the prison, including multiple cellular phones, sim cards, chargers, headsets, and USB cables.
3.      Trafficking in a Dangerous Drug – specifically cocaine, into the Arouca Maximum Security Prison.
The operation was coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Suzette Martin, along with Senior Superintendent of the Port of Spain Division, Senior Superintendent of the Special Investigations Unit and was supported by the Commissioner of Prisons.
Additional support came from Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Ashley Mongroo of the Port of Spain Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and ASP Lynch of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
The exercise was executed by officers from various units, including the SIU, the Southern Division Task Force.
