A 43-year-old prison officer has been charged with having a large quantity of marijuana and other contraband items in his locker at the Port-of-Spain State Prison.
He was detained by police a few days ago.
Nigel Marshall, of La Horquetta, Arima, was granted $100,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Aden Stroude in the Port-of-Spain court charged with marijuana trafficking and misbehaviour in public office.
Marshall, who has 15 years service,, was not called upon to plead to the charges.
The contraband items were found on Tuesday during a search of the prison at Frederick Street in Port-of-Spain.
Police alleged that they found 660 grammes of marijuana, 35 packs of cigarettes, 69 packs of rolling paper and a cellphone hidden in Marshall’s personal locker. Marshall was arrested the following day.
The marijuana was allegedly concealed in two juice containers and three cake packets.
Police said the items had a total value of $13,000 if sold within the prison.
The search exercise featured officers of several specialised police units and was supervised by Senior Supt Ajith Persad of the Port-of-Spain CID.
Marshall is expected to reappear in court on March 28.