Investigation Uncovers Synthetic Marijuana Smuggling at Bristol County Jail

DARTMOUTH (WBSM) — A Fall River medical technician assigned to the Bristol County House of Correction in North Dartmouth and an inmate from New Bedford have both been charged in connection with the smuggling of synthetic marijuana into the jail.

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux announced today that Malissa Goff, 39, and Darren Andrade, 38, were both arraigned in New Bedford District Court on November 3.

Both were charged with conspiracy, while Goff was also charged with delivering drugs to a prisoner and improper storage of a firearm, after a loaded but unsecured gun was allegedly found in her vehicle on Bristol County Sheriff’s Office property.

Both were released on personal recognizance, Heroux said, but Andrade remains in custody at the House of Correction on unrelated charges.

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Details of the Joint Internal Affairs Investigation

Heroux said the charges came as the result of a multiweek investigation conducted by the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Unit and Special Investigations Unit (SIU). They were investigating reports that synthetic cannabinoids – commonly referred to as “K2” or “spice” – were being snuck into the facility by medical staff. Heroux said the investigation revealed that Andrade had allegedly enlisted Goff to help transport and deliver the contraband into the House of Correction.

Unsecured Firearm Discovered During Facility Search

According to Heroux, investigators allegedly saw Goff deliver synthetic marijuana directly to Andrade inside the facility. She was then taken into custody for questioning, and a search of her vehicle turned up the loaded, unsecured firearm.

Sheriff Heroux Signals Zero Tolerance Policy on Jail Contraband

“Drugs and contraband are an ongoing problem in every correctional facility in the country,” Heroux said. “The BCSO has increased its efforts to find illicit drugs and contraband in the jail, including but not limited to enhanced searches of people and packages coming into the jail, and the use of K9s trained to detect various drugs.”

“In the past, many people were terminated from employment without prosecution,” Heroux said. “Now, anyone found bringing drugs into the jail is going to be prosecuted.”