Two women have been charged with Introducing Contraband into a Penal Institution following their attempts to smuggle contraband and other illegal items into the Black River Police Lock-up on Saturday, July 1.

Reports are that the Black River Police conducted a special operation dubbed ‘Crack Down’ at the institution. During the operation food containers destined for inmates were thoroughly searched. Items including, one cellular phone, cigarettes, tobacco, ganja, lighter and 3ʺ concrete nails were found in the containers being delivered by the women.

Fifty-two-year-old Maudlyn Nelson Forrester, a teacher of St Mary’s district, Munro in St Elizabeth and 41-year-old Tracey-Ann Campbell, a shopkeeper of Crawltop district in Riversdale, St Catherine were subsequently charged.

“It must be noted that the items were destined for one inmate that is convicted and sentenced to two years for unlawful wounding. The other package was destined for another inmate who is charged for burglary and robbery with aggravation,” said Coleridge Minto, Acting Superintendent and Commanding Officer for the parish of St Elizabeth.

Both women are scheduled to appear in the Santa Cruz Resident Magistrates Court on Tuesday (July 4).

Minto is warning persons to desist from attempting to take contraband into the lockups as persons found in breach will be given the full extent of the law.