Norfolk County corrections officer charged with smuggling drugs into prison – NBC Boston

A correctional officer at the Norfolk County Correctional Center is accused of conspiring to smuggle drugs into the facility, Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott said at a news conference Thursday.

McDermott said the former officer is suspected of working with two inmates and two outside suspects to bring Suboxone strips into the facility. Suboxone is considered an opioid and is often used by prescription to help opioid addicts manage withdrawal symptoms during recovery. However, the drug can be abused.

According to McDermott, the value of these strips in the correctional system is about $47,600.

Investigators believe the correctional officer was approached by an inmate at the facility in July and asked if he would be willing to bring drugs into the facility in exchange for payment. The correctional officer reportedly agreed and met with another suspect in the facility's parking lot on July 29. The strips were hidden in a Wendy's fast food bag, according to investigators.

The correctional officer then hid the strips between garbage bags and brought them to the housing unit, where he later gave them to an inmate.

The authorities became aware of the situation on August 1 and immediately launched an investigation.

Five people, including the officer, two inmates at the facility and two other women known to the inmates, were summoned to appear in Dedham District Court on charges of drug conspiracy, delivery of drugs to a correctional facility and possession of a Class B substance with intent to resell.

McDermott noted that the correctional officer was hired in April after going through the usual selection and training process.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.