The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service (TTPrS) has seized 14 cellular phones, more than two kilogrammes of material resembling marijuana and hundreds of packs of cigarettes during an intelligence-led search at the Maximum Security Prison.

The search was carried out at about 3 am on Friday, August 28, by officers of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), who were acting on intelligence about the use of drones to deliver contraband into the prison compound.

Officers targeted the B and M Divisions of the facility and recovered a large quantity of prohibited items.

Among the items seized were:

• 14 cellular phones
• 2,055 grammes of plant-like material resembling marijuana
• 285 packs of cigarettes
• One sealed box of Big Bambu wrapping paper
• Two digital scales
• One cellular phone charger
• Four improvised weapons
• One cellular phone screen replacement
• One brown-handled screwdriver
• Two pairs of headsets
• One pair of scissors

The seized items have been secured and the investigation is continuing with assistance from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

The Prison Service said a number of inmates are expected to be charged as investigations progress.

Acting Commissioner of Prisons Elvin Scanterbury commended the ERU officers for their vigilance and work in intercepting the prohibited items.

The latest operation comes as the Prison Service steps up efforts to prevent contraband from entering correctional facilities, including through the use of technology such as drones.

TTPrS said it continues to use intelligence-led operations, enhanced security measures and targeted searches to disrupt attempts to introduce prohibited items into prisons.

The service is also appealing to members of the public with information about the trafficking of contraband into prisons to contact its hotline at 800-PRSN (7776) or provide the information to the TTPS.