A health care worker in Miami-Dade County has been arrested after police said she admitted planning to smuggle contraband, including marijuana, into a detention center.
Junell Bell, 39, was arrested Sunday morning and charged with possession of a controlled substance, introducing contraband into a correctional facility and conspiracy to introduce contraband.
Miami-Dade Corrections Miami-Dade police received information that led them to believe a Correctional Health Services employee who provides medical care to inmates was trying to bring drugs into the facility.
During a raid at the Metro-West Detention Center on Saturday night, Bell was taken into custody with a “large amount” of drugs, including marijuana and Oxycodone.
“Our ability to police ourselves and hold each other accountable is critical to ensuring the safety of our staff, our community and the inmate population,” said James Reiss, director of Miami-Dade Corrections. “We will utilize all necessary resources and our partnerships with other Miami-Dade County public safety stakeholders to ensure we are operating safe and secure jails.”
Bell remains behind bars pending a bond hearing. The authorities did not provide information about her employment status.