By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
For the second time in a week, the Department of Corrections intercepted contraband intended for an inmate or outreach participant — this time at the Kagman Community Outreach facility, where officers discovered methamphetamine and other prohibited items early Wednesday morning following a tip, DOC Commissioner Anthony Torres said.
Torres said DOC staff located a plastic bag at about 6 a.m. on April 1 containing four cans of Grizzly Red tobacco, iced coffee, a cupcake and just under a gram of methamphetamine. The items were intended for a participant in the outreach program.
“It’s my duty to be transparent and to share any findings with the community,” Torres said. “Our outreach personnel acted swiftly to prevent the prohibited materials from reaching the participant, upholding the program’s strict security protocols and commitment to a safe, drug-free environment.”
The contraband was secured and turned over to the Department of Public Safety. A person of interest has been identified, and DOC’s Special Investigative Services Team is working with DPS to pursue the case.
Second contraband case in seven days
The April 1 discovery follows a March 24 surveillance operation at the Susupe prison facility that resulted in the arrest of Cleon Reyes Pacho, 20, the 2025 DOC academy valedictorian, and Regina Camacho Bowie, 37, after officers intercepted an alleged contraband drop.
During that operation, DOC officers observed a red Toyota Corolla pull into the northern employee parking lot. Pacho was seen walking toward the vehicle. A woman — later identified as Bowie — stepped out of the front passenger seat and handed him a plastic bag.
Inside the facility, officers searched the bag and found zip-lock bags containing a green leafy substance and a crystalline substance, along with barbecue sticks, sodas, smokeless tobacco and lighters. The crystalline substance later tested positive for methamphetamine.
Torres said both the March 24 and April 1 cases reflect the department’s strengthened intelligence-sharing and interdiction efforts.
“We’re leading the way in the U.S. territories with task force officers assigned to the Marshal Service, HSI, FBI and DEA,” Torres said. “These partnerships give us real-time intelligence, advanced tools, and stronger interdiction capabilities than ever before.”
Contraband dropped outside outreach facility
Torres said the April 1 items were “dropped” outside the Kagman facility sometime overnight.
“Nobody was there when it happened,” he said. “We got the intel, and we were there at 5:55 in the morning. My guys found it during the search.”
The facility is not fenced or gated, though DOC is installing exterior cameras to strengthen security.
Torres said investigators are looking at both a primary suspect — the person who dropped off the items — and a local resident who may be connected.
“We have some great intelligence that’s forthcoming,” he said. “We can’t elaborate too much, but we do have a person of interest.”
Major vs. minor contraband
Torres reiterated that any unauthorized drop-off, even food, violates DOC policy.
“Whether it’s minor contraband like tobacco, food, or soft drinks, or major contraband like methamphetamine, marijuana, or cocaine — anything not authorized by me is contraband,” he said. “If a family member wants to drop off food for an inmate, that’s not authorized. There’s a proper way to do it.”
Outreach program on lockdown
The entire outreach program has been placed on lockdown while the investigation continues.
“Everyone is isolated until the investigation is complete,” Torres said. “We’re going to continue to monitor intelligence and individuals of interest in the community.”
He urged residents to report information anonymously to DOC, DPS or Crime Stoppers.
“If you know anybody doing this, call it in,” he said. “If you have a loved one who’s doing this, call it in and let’s get them some help — but we also need to hold them accountable.”
Torres issued a direct warning to anyone attempting to smuggle contraband.
“My message is pretty clear: we’re coming for you,” he said. “You want to collude, we’re going to hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
He praised DOC staff for their vigilance.
“Their quick action prevented a serious security breach,” he said. “This is exactly the culture we are building — a safer, more professional department the people of the Commonwealth can be proud of.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
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.
