NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A former New York City corrections officer was charged on Wednesday for being part of a scheme to smuggle narcotics into Rikers Island, prosecutors announced.
Ghislaine Barrientos, 37, was charged with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and false statements as part of the plot.
According to a complaint, Barrientos allegedly conspired with others to smuggle contraband, including cocaine, smokable synthetic cannabinoids known as K-2 and food to inmates housed at the Robert N. Davoren Complex on Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars.
A couple of examples were highlighted in the court documents. For instance, on April 11, an associate of an inmate (“Inmate-1”) and Barrientos allegedly discussed sending a package to Barrientos through a delivery service.
On April 15, surveillance footage captured Barrientos entering Inmate-1’s cell, where her actions were not visible to the camera. Two days later, the Department of Corrections searched Inmate-1’s cell and found sheets of paper that tested positive for cocaine.