Prison warden busted for drug smuggling

An arrested prison warden has proven the much-debated assumption that prisoners get help from correctional officers to smuggle drugs or any banned item inside the cells.

PRISON WARDEN IN HOT WATER FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS

This after a crime intelligence-driven operation saw the arrest of a prison warden attached to Standerton Correctional Centre on allegations of drug smuggling to the Correctional Centre.

“The 31-year-old official was nabbed at his residence on Thursday 04 May 2023 at about 11:00.”

Brigadier Selvy Mohlala

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HOW THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICIAL WAS APPREHENDED

He added that the Police operationalised information received whereby members from Standerton Crime Intelligence, Standerton K9 and Correctional Service personnel followed up the alibi of the member who is involved in drug smuggling.

“A search was conducted and one sachet of Cristal Meth weighing 9 grams, 19 plastic bags of dagga weighing 1,856 kg, 7 cellphones, 6 cellphone chargers, 7 sim cards and an undisclosed amount of cash was recovered and confiscated. The total value of the recovered items and drugs are estimated at R3 500,” said Mohlala.

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SUSPECT EXPECTED IN COURT AFTER ARREST

The suspect will appear in Standerton District Court today, Friday, 5 May for possession of drugs and other items.

He further said the investigation will determine if the suspect is involved in drug smuggling and an additional charge might be added.

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The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela welcomed the arrest and added that there is no room for rotten potatoes within the security cluster.

This is a developing story. An update will be published when the prison warden appears in court.

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