20/05/2009

Prison Officer Arrested In Drugs Bust

A prison officer has been arrested while on duty at Maghaberry jail on suspicion of drugs offences.

The warder was detained on Monday at the prison and was then handcuffed and led away by detectives.

His east Belfast home was extensively searched by police during the day after rest rooms used by staff serving at the prison were also searched.

In a statement a PSNI spokesman said that a 44-year-old had been arrested in the Lisburn area on Monday "on suspicion of drugs offences", and had been released on bail pending further inquiries.

According to recent figures, Maghaberry Prison (pictured) had 155 finds of illegal drugs and drug-taking materials, as well as 54 finds of 'unauthorised' prescription medicines in just the last year.

The Prison Service said that the officer had been suspended from duty "as a precautionary measure."

Maghaberry is Northern Ireland's high security prison holding more than 700 men including paramilitaries.

(BMcc/JM)

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