Corrections Officer Caught Smuggling Contraband

The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) confirms the apprehension of a Corrections Officer Class (COC), who was found attempting to smuggle illicit drugs and mobile phones into the Minimum Correction Centre during his second shift night guard duty.

The COC was discovered in possession of marijuana, two mobile phones without SIM cards, and suki (80 cm) during a routine shift change. He was previously under suspicion for potentially being used by inmates to smuggle contraband into the facility.

On the night of his second shift, the officer brought a bag, which he placed inside the gatekeeper’s room. After being assigned to guard the C dormitory by OC night, he was observed leaving his post around 0030hrs.

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 packed them into his pockets.

Other officers, who had been monitoring the COC’s movements, approached him as he attempted to return to his post. Upon searching him, they confiscated the contraband and found 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 maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct and contraband smuggling within its facilities. This incident underscores our commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of our corrections centers.

Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.