A PRISON officer, who was found with cannabis (marijuana) strapped to his torso at the New Amsterdam Penitentiary, in Berbice, has been convicted of trafficking in the narcotic and introducing it to the jail.

Magistrate Geeta Chandan Persid Edmond found Glen Lewis guilty of the offences, on Monday at New Amsterdam Court, but deferred sentence to June 8, pending the appearance of Defence Counsel Chandradass Persaud, who is currently out of the jurisdiction.

Evidence disclosed that the convict had joined the Prison Service six months before his superiors observed him acting suspiciously on December 7, 2006 and a search of his person yielded portions of the prohibited plant strapped to his body.

Police said the narcotic was destined for the female dormitory of the detention centre.

Lewis, who was on $150,000 bail during his trial, has been remanded to prison to await his fate.