PROBE: MIAMI JAILERS SMUGGLED DRUGS

MIAMI (AP) -- An investigation of Miami-Dade county jails found that
officers allegedly helped smuggle contraband to inmates, The Miami Herald
reported Sunday.

A yearlong, secret probe by police and the FBI claimed that jail officers
looked the other way or took part as marijuana and cocaine were brought to
inmates in exchange for cash, jewelry and sporting equipment, the newspaper
said.

Citing unidentified sources, the Herald reported that the probe focused on
the Dade County Jail, and the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, a
1,000-bed pretrial facility, although allegations were made about all four
county jails.

The investigation began in December 1997 after Miami-Dade police and the
FBI received allegations of corrupt jail officers.

At least 15 corrections employees and 20 alleged drug dealers are scheduled
to be arrested on federal and state charges, the newspaper reported. No
high-ranking officers will be arrested, the newspaper said.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski