A resident magistrate presiding the Spanish Town Resident Magis-trate's Court warned investigators that they need to secure exhibits in criminal matters to maintain the integrity of the Crown's case.

Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Greene gave the warning yesterday, while presiding over a case involving Clifford William, 37, a correctional officer who is charged with breaching the Corrections Act.

Packages of cigarettes

Investigating officer, Detective Ser-geant Ottie Williams of the Spanish Town Police Station, told the court that on January 4, this year, authorities at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, where the officer works, searched him and found several packages of cigarettes strapped to his legs and other parts of his body.

He told the court that a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who ruled that Williams be charged.

The officer told the court that the authorities at the prison are in pos-session of the exhibit, but the RM expressed concern and told him that he needs to secure the exhibit as this could hamper the progress of the Crown's case. Williams' bail was extended until October 13.