Prison officer allegedly tries to sneak in marijuana, tobacco

The nose of a drug-sniffing canine allegedly found more than an ounce of marijuana and bags of raw tobacco on a prison officer trying to sneak the goods into Maury Correctional Institution this weekend.

Edwin G. Edwards, 29, will make his first appearance in Greene County District Court Friday for felony charges of possession of a controlled substance on prison grounds and possession with intent to sell and distribute a controlled substance and misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and providing tobacco to an inmate.

Thanks to the astute pooch, officers recovered 37.5 grams of marijuana, five to six bags of tobacco and rolling papers from Edwards’ lunch bag and body shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, said Capt. Daniel Hawkins, the arresting officer with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.

Hawkins assisted officials with the N.C. Department of Corrections in a routine unannounced drug screening over the weekend at Maury Correctional Institution of all visitors, staff and vehicles entering the prison property, said Keith Acree, spokesman with the DOC.

“The dog hit on the marijuana when he entered facility and lined up in a row with everyone else to be searched,” Hawkins said of the arrest.

Edwards, a correctional officer at the state prison since June 2008, resigned Monday. He earned an annual salary of $28,484, Acree said.

“We do interdictions periodically as part of our strategy to keep drugs out of prison facilities,” Acree said.

Hawkins placed Edwards, of Greenville, in the Greene County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond. He has since posted bail.