Corrections Officer Charged With Smuggling After Inmates Overdose On Heroin

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Prosecutors say a corrections officer has been charged with taking bribes to smuggle drugs into a New Jersey prison after several inmates at the facility overdosed on heroin.

Mercer County prosecutors say 33-year-old Michael Marrero smuggled heroin, suboxone, marijuana, tobacco and at least one cellphone into the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton for inmates.

The state Department of Corrections began investigating after a rash of heroin overdoses. The number of overdoses and whether anyone died weren't disclosed.

Marrero worked as a corrections officer for seven years. He has been suspended with pay.

Prosecutors say Marrero faces charges including official misconduct, money laundering, conspiracy to distribute drugs and bribery.

His bail hearing Friday has been delayed so he can hire an attorney.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.