A Seward man and employee with the Department of Corrections has been arrested after he was found to be smuggling narcotics to an inmate at Spring Creek Correctional Center. 58-year-old Seward Resident Paul Cottrell, a maintenance worker at Spring Creek, was accused of smuggling the drugs last week, prompting an investigation.
According to the Alaska State Trooper dispatch on the arrest, AST was notified of Cottrell’s activities at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19. Seward-based Troopers began investigating the allegations and found that Cottrell was smuggling suboxone strips into the facility and handing them off to an inmate.
Suboxone strips are traditionally given to individuals suffering from opioid dependence as a means to assist with withdrawal symptoms, although they do have narcotic effects, can be used abusively, and have been shown to be addictive. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, Buprenorphine–the active ingredient in suboxone stips–is a partial opioid agonist drug with a long half-life; this means it stays in the bloodstream for 24-72 hours.
Cottrell was arrested on charges of Misconduct Involving Controlled Substances 4th Degree, Tampering with Physical Evidence 1st Degree, and Promoting Contraband 1st Degree.
He was remanded to Spring Creek Correctional Center without incident. The investigation continues.