Contraband found during random DOC shakedown

Random inspections conducted by the Department of Corrections at the CNMI’s sole correctional facility has led to the discovery of contrabands like cellphones and crystal methamphetamine.

DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres said yesterday that he has ordered “spontaneous shakedowns” at the prison for the last month or so in an effort to investigate claims about illegal contraband within DOC.

As a result of these shakedowns, Torres said officers were able to retrieve from inmates seven cellphones, methamphetamine, and other contraband. A shakedown implies a thorough inspection of the whole facility, which is scoured from top to bottom.

“In the last four weeks, from around the beginning of April, we were able to confiscate cellphones. From April 18 to today, we’ve confiscated about seven cellphones. Those cellphones are now with our federal partners. The investigation is still ongoing. We started with two on April 18, then we got another one on April 20, another one on April 25, 27, 28, and May 2,” he said.

“During those times, we initiated emergency shakedowns. I even came in, I had dogs brought in, and we did a full shakedown, and we were able to retrieve contrabands like cellphones, some methamphetamine, and others,” Torres added.

Anthony Torres

Torres said this matter is still under investigation, including how the contraband items were brought in, and he will update the community once the investigation ends.

“We’re doing our best. I’m doing my best and I will say that my staff is working hard and diligently in moving forward with this investigation,” he said.

Torres also addressed the possibility that his officers may be conspiring with others to smuggle the contraband to inmates. He promised not be lenient with these officers and will not allow for this to continue under his watch.

“There’s corruption in all prisons, with individuals and staff making wrong decisions. That’s the reality. Anybody who is making these wrong choices, [to smuggle in these contrabands], my staff included, if you think you are going to get away with this, you’re wrong. That is my message. Even to those colluding with staff members in here, it’s going to unravel in the next month and people are going to be held accountable,” Torres said.

And he isn’t just looking at sacking officers who may be found guilty of smuggling contraband into the prison. He said he intends to file charges against them and have them face jail time.

“Being in this role, I have to be compassionate, empathetic, and I have to be supportive of my staff, especially those who want to do their jobs 100% and are committed to being here. But at the same time, I have to be able to deal with and hold those individuals who want to live a life of criminal activity accountable. I’m not just looking at terminating them; I’m looking for them to possibly do some time. We all have to be held accountable for our choices,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the staff who may be bringing in these contraband items—I’m not confirming yet if any of them are—if at the end we find that they are, we’re going to hold them accountable to the highest level possible. Again, I’m working with my federal partners and I’m going hard,” he added.

Ultimately, Torres said, his goal for this investigation is for the entry of contraband to stop under his watch and to hold those in the wrong accountable for their actions.

“We’re coming for all those individuals because this needs to stop. When I came in, I gave everyone here in DOC a firm message that if they know they are doing wrong, they need to stop. I guess that message wasn’t taken seriously,” Torres said.