GIFF JOHNSON
A drug distribution ring operating from the MIPD main jail in Uliga? Marijuana, crystal meth, thousands of dollars in cash, multiple cell phones in the hands of drug dealing inmates? MIPD officers not checking incoming packages for prisoners serving long sentences for violent crimes?
All of the above and more was confirmed two Saturdays ago when the Majuro Atoll Local Police force, with legal sanction from the RMI Attorney General’s Office and a High Court-approved search warrant, raided the MIPD main jail.
MALGov police went in like a SWAT operation Saturday morning August 3, with over 20 detectives and officers taking control of the jail to conduct an exhaustive search of the prisoners quarters. On arrival at the jail, the lead MALGov detectives showed the national police on duty the High Court approved search warrant, told them to stand aside and open the jail so the search could begin.
The search turned up drugs, cash, vodka, tequila, drug paraphernalia, cartons of cigarettes and other items that are either illegal or supposedly not allowed under the rules of the MIPD jail.
MALGov police initiated a drug sting operation on the night of July 30 in response to what police said was a “public rumor” that the national police main jail in Uliga “has a drug operation business from the inside.” To confirm if the speculation in the community was accurate, MALGov detectives initiated a sting operation using an informant. This follows on several years of sting operations conducted by MALGov police that have led to the successful prosecution of multiple drug dealers in Majuro.
The sting on July 30 involved the informant sending a message to his contact, a prisoner who was serving time for a violent crime, asking if he had any crystal meth for sale. The response indicated he had a supply available with him. The prisoner then provided instructions to the MALGov police informant of where to pick up the drugs and who would be bringing it. He received a Ziploc baggie with crystal meth from another prisoner who was the delivery agent.
The informant gave the prisoner $20 for the baggie of drugs and then took the plastic bag to the MALGov police captain running the sting. The next day, July 31, MALGov police went to the AG’s office to present the evidence collected in the sting operation and request a search and seizure warrant.
The MALGov search of the MIPD main jail happened in the morning of Saturday August 3, following the High Court approving a warrant Friday.
In the cell room of one prisoner, serving a sentence for murder, MALGov police confiscated $1,532 cash, three Ziploc bags containing crystal meth and marijuana, four cell phones, a bottle of tequila and other items. In another inmate’s cell, who is serving a sentence for a stabbing assault, MALGov police found a smoking pipe, a one-man bottle of vodka, and empty Ziploc bags described as “similar the one sold the police information on July 30.” Both prisoners were deported from the United States.
In another prisoner’s room, the police found four cartons of cigarettes and rolls of quarters.
Testing by Marshall Islands Police Department detectives following the raid confirmed that the drugs seized were crystal meth and marijuana, MALGov reported.
A MALGov informant told investigators that MIPD officers who run the jail did not implement rules and regulations relating to prisoners such that package deliveries from families and friends of the prisoners were not thoroughly examined.
MALGov’s report of the raid of MIPD jail was turned into the Attorney General’s Office August 7, four days after the operation was conducted.
“This Office does anticipate filing criminal charges subject to the police report by MALGov and further investigation into the involvement of police officers,” RMI Attorney General Bernard Adiniwin told the Journal Wednesday this week.