Text and photo by Bryan Manabat
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Variety News Staff
A CORRECTIONS officer and a female suspect were caught Tuesday evening attempting to bring contraband into the Department of Corrections facility in Susupe, Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres said Wednesday.
He did not name the suspects but said they were intercepted while attempting to drop off methamphetamine, marijuana, tobacco, lighters, food, and sodas.
“The contraband was seized, and the matter has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution,” Torres said. He added that the identities of the arrested individuals are being withheld pending formal charges and out of respect for the ongoing investigation.
Maintaining the security and integrity of the facility is “non-negotiable,” Torres said, noting that his department will not tolerate any breach of trust by its personnel or anyone attempting to undermine the safety of operations.
He said the swift response demonstrates the department’s zero-tolerance policy toward contraband and corruption. “We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability,” he said.
Torres thanked the Department of Public Safety for its partnership, calling DPS’s collaboration “instrumental in ensuring a safe and successful outcome.”
According to Torres, Corrections continues strengthening security protocols, staff training, and surveillance measures to prevent the introduction of contraband, including drugs such as methamphetamine, cell phones, and other prohibited items. “Such incidents threaten the safety of staff, inmates, and the broader community,” he said.
The commissioner encouraged anyone with information about contraband smuggling or corruption within Corrections to report it anonymously or through official channels.
Torres emphasized that the department’s mission is to ensure the secure custody, care, and rehabilitation of individuals in the Commonwealth’s correctional system while prioritizing public safety and operational integrity.
“Let me be perfectly clear,” he said. “We have zero tolerance for corruption or breaches of trust in this department. If you wear the CNMI [Corrections] uniform, you are held to the highest standard. Smuggling contraband endangers every one of us — staff, inmates, and the community we serve. It fuels violence, overdoses, and undermines the rehabilitation work we do every day. There will be no exceptions, no second chances, and no protection for anyone who chooses this path.”
At the same time, Torres recognized the “vast majority” of Corrections staff who serve with integrity and professionalism. Their vigilance, he said, prevented a serious security breach. “This is exactly the culture we are building.”
His message to Corrections personnel: do your job with honor, report suspicious activity immediately — through the chain of command or anonymously — and know that the department will support those who uphold its standards.
“We have made significant progress in restoring trust and accountability,” Torres said. “This incident, while disappointing, proves that our systems are working and that we will not look the other way. Together, we will continue building a safer, more professional department that the people of the CNMI can be proud of.”
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
