St. John's prison guard in drug bust

A correctional officer in St. John's has been arrested and charged with smuggling drugs into Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

Edward Taylor, 30, of St. John's, was arrested as a result of a police search of the prison Monday evening. Taylor appeared briefly in a provincial courtroom in the city Tuesday afternoon.

A release from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said police seized a quantity of narcotics, marijuana and other contraband during the search that was related to an ongoing investigation dubbed Operation Safeguard.

Police said the investigation involving the RNC's criminal intelligence and drug and forensic identification units was in connection with the trafficking of drugs and contraband inside the prison.

Taylor has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, including ecstasy, oxcycodone and morphine.

He has also been charged with breach of trust by a public officer and breach of probation. Under a probation order issued by the court a year ago, Taylor wasto stay away from alcohol and drugs and be of good behaviour.

He was released on $2,000 bail. His next court appearance is set for March 16.

Police in St. John's had planned a news conference for Tuesday afternoon to release more details about Operation Safeguard. However, that has been postponed until Wednesday morning.