The first couple of days of Parliament has created a firestorm within the Marshall Islands this week following the revelation of a major drug bust that took place at the Marshall Islands National Police Department. Yes, you read that right, a drug bust inside the nation’s police headquarters in Majuro.

What’s more shocking is that the drug bust was conducted by the Majuro Atoll Local forces. The Majuro local police are under the leadership of Majuro Mayor Ladie Jack, while the national police department is under the oversight of the Minister of Justice and the national government.

The news was shared on the Parliament floor Tuesday by Majuro Nitijela Member David Kramer, who questioned the validity of the entire enforcement system.

The drug bust was conducted around 7am Saturday morning at the national police station in Uliga, where the main jail for the country is housed.

Criminal Investigation Division detectives from Majuro police force were tipped off about an active drug operation from inside the jail. After a successful sting operation involving an informant, it came to light that inmates were in fact trafficking drugs to buyers outside the prison.

A cache of drugs and cash and other contrabands were seized during the operation, including crystal meth and marijuana.

Local police uncovered a mini community within the prison where inmates get tattoos, haircuts, internet access, alcohol and even karaoke. All under the watchful eyes of police officers from the National Police Department. 

Just this past Monday, President Hilda Heine reiterated her Cabinet’s priority in the fight against drugs. 

CID Head Detective Tarjohn Motellang said the bust was just the tip of the iceberg and that his team is determined to unravel the drug network that has been plaguing the capital city for years.

Parliament leaders were appalled at the fact that prisoners are allowed access to the open community from their prison cells.

It was noted that some of the uniformed police officers have been involved in facilitating the drug network.

“Where are these drugs coming from,” Jaluit Parliament Member Daisy Alik-Momotaro said the day prior to the announcement of the bust. Daisy questioned the status of law enforcement given the easy access of drugs throughout Majuro. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani Kaneko said the government has reached out to the US for technical assistance with the possibility of using US Federal agents in regards to the entry of drugs to the country.

Tommy Delcaro, who was deported from the US and was later imprisoned for murder in Majuro, was identified as the main drug runner in the jail.