RI Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty To Opioid Smuggling Scheme

CUMBERLAND, RI — A former corrections officer pleaded guilty to federal charges on Wednesday after being accused of attempting to smuggling opioids into a Massachusetts prison. Steven Frazer, 29, of Cumberland, was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

According to the Department of Justice, Frazer, along with a second person, arranged to smuggle Suboxone strips into MCI-Norfolk and sell it to inmates beginning November 14, 2018. The class III controlled substance is used to treat heroin addiction but can be used to get high. The substance is "coveted as contraband in prisons across the nation and particularly in New England," the DOJ reported.

On November 18, Frazer met with the other person in a south Attelboro parking lot. There, the witness gave Frazer 40 suboxone strips and 24 pages of K2, a synthetic cannabinoid more powerful than traditional marijuana and $2,500 in cash.

Unbeknownst to Frazer, the other person was a cooperating witness with federal agents, who recorded the exchange and arrested Frazer.

Frazer's charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $500,000 and restitution. He is set to be sentenced on September 16.

PREVIOUS: Corrections Officer Charged With Smuggling Drugs Into Prison