A major security sweep across state prisons has led to the arrest of 12 individuals, including a prison officer with four years of service.
The operation, conducted over the past 72 hours, targeted the Extended Remand Facility in Golden Grove and the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca.
The operation was done under the coordination of Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro and Commissioner of Prisons Hayden Forde.
Among those charged is Terry-Ann De Leon, a food vendor at Port-of-Spain Hospital, accused of introducing prohibited items into the Port-of-Spain prison. She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
Police also laid charges against 10 inmates found with contraband during earlier exercises.
In a separate case, Prison Officer Zane Maynard appeared before an Arima High Court on charges of marijuana possession and prohibited articles at MSP Arouca.