Mazaruni prison officer arrested in cannabis bust

February 20 2026

Police are investigating the discovery of more than 500 grams of suspected cannabis at Mazaruni Prison, which led to the arrest of a 26-year-old prison officer (no name given) from Golden Grove.

The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, during a routine morning briefing within the prison compound.

Reports indicate that the officer’s bulletproof vest appeared unusually bulky, prompting a search conducted in his presence.

During the search, ranks discovered a transparent bulky parcel concealed inside the vest, containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The matter was immediately reported to the police, who later visited the prison and took possession of the suspected narcotic. When weighed in the presence of the suspect, the substance amounted to 474.6 grams.

Further investigations led to a search of the suspect’s living quarters within the prison compound.

There, police found an additional black bulky parcel on the officer’s bed, containing a transparent package with similar suspected cannabis material. That quantity weighed 27.6 grams.

In total, the suspected cannabis seized amounted to 502.2 grams. The suspect, along with the narcotics, was escorted to the Bartica Police Station, where the substance was lodged.

The prison officer remains in police custody as investigations continue.