24 Aug 2017

Guam prison officers arrested in police drug raid

9:43 pm on 24 August 2017

Police in Guam have arrested several prison officers following an early morning raid on the island's main prison.

A police vehicle enters the Guam Department of Corrections compound during an early morning Drug raid that saw several prison officials arrested. Thursday August 24.

A police vehicle enters the Guam Department of Corrections compound during an early morning Drug raid that saw several prison officials arrested. Thursday August 24. Photo: Norman M. Taruc/ Guam Daily Post.

The Guam Daily Post reported a Department of Corrections lieutenant and three corrections officers were amoung five government workers arrested in several raids this morning.

A Department of Public Works officer was also among those arrested and a fifth corrections officer was being held in custody while investigations continued.

The officials have been charged with offences including bribery, official misconduct and conspiracy to promote prison contraband.

The director of Guam's Department of Corrections Tony Lamorena said the arrests were positive for his department.

"I think we've made great strides. The 27 cases that are open show we're making efforts in combatting contraband," he said.

"You may look at it as a negative, I look at it as a positive. These are 27 items of contraband that have not gone into the facility."

A Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Guam Daily Post last month revealed the prison had more than two dozen contraband cases documented since January.

Department logs revealed the discovery of cell phones and methamphetamine in the maximum security unit.