Guard allegedly caught with ganja after pants set off alarm

The St Catherine Parish Court was told on Wednesday that the security guard accused of smuggling contraband into a correctional facility was caught after a routine scan of his pants triggered an alarm.

Staff Officer Michael Brown, the Crown's first witness, testified during the trial of Sean Cowan, who is charged with introducing prohibited articles into a penal institution.

Brown told Parish Court Judge Courtney Maxwell that about 4:54 p.m. in October 2024, he was on duty at the gate of the St Catherine District Adult Correctional Centre when Cowan arrived for sentry duty along with other guards.

According to Brown, he used a metal detector to scan Cowan, which beeped.

"I asked him to take out what he had inside his pocket and he complied," Brown said.

The court heard that items including ganja, cigarettes, wrapping paper and a lighter were allegedly found and later handed over to a superior officer. The police were summoned, and Cowan was arrested and subsequently charged.

Cowan's bail has been extended until May 13, 2026, when Brown is expected to continue his testimony.

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