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issued for those involved. 47 abc’s julian sadur was there in baltimore at the united states attorneys office for the press conference. 192853 in my hand two federal indictments naming 80 people involved in an alleged racketeering conspiracy at eastern correctional instition in westover. officials saying correctional officers worked with prisoners to bring in contrabrand and distribute it throughout the prison. today in baltimore united states attorney rod rosenstein calling this the biggest case that’s set to come through the united states court for the district of maryland 192916 track arrests came wednesday – as federal indictments were handed down for those believed to haveparticipated in bringin in- heroine, suboxone, synthetic marijuana, cell phones and more to eastern correctional institute in westover. these documents explain how 18 correctional officers – dozens of inmates – and those on the outside helped facilitate what united states attorney rod rosenstein called a massive smuggling, money laundering, and drug selling operation. according to the indictment – the operation began in 2013 with a tip from a corrections officer. investigators say the c-o’s had been taking bribes in the form of money and sexual favors to smuggle contraband into the prison. prisoners — who had special work privileges which allowed them to move about the prison — would take the contraband and distribute it. smuggled in burner phones – allegedly helped inmates organize these activities. sot 183025 it was the cellphones, the ability of the inmates to contact the facilitators outside to stay in contact with corrections officers who were participating in the conspiracy. those cellphones fueled the operation of this criminal enterprise 183037 track the question though – how did they manage to pull this off? rosenstein says upper management at the prison did not participate in the operation. instead it was the greed – that led these officers down the wrong path. 182840 what causes it is 41 the financial incentives that the correctional officers face by virtue of the large profits that can be earned 182849 through smuggling at these facilities 182951 rosenstein using the example of suboxone strips – a popular drug in the prison that could be purchased for the 3 dollars a strip outside the prison – but that went for up to 50 dollars inside the walls – over a 1000 percent profit. but how did this go unnoticed. rosenstein says co’s would alert prisoners of searches — so they could hide contraband — and even used violence as a means to make sure no one spoke out. 182816 perhaps the most shocking allegation in the indictment that a correctional officer arranged for an inmate to be attacked by other inmates because the inmate was feared to have cooperated 182821 182828 the correctional officer arranged for another inmate to attack and stab that first inmate 182833 ultimately though officials sayit was an uninvolved correctional officer though that brought this scandal to light – first alerting the warden – who in turn sent word up the chain. it’s for that reason that patrick moran – president of the union that represents the union says these actions are not indicative of the workforce as whole 190504 the fact that an officer brought this to the floor and to managements attention is just a refltion to the fact that the vast majority , 99.98 percent of the officers are out there doing the right thing 190517 so what is being done to ensure this wont happen again – officials say that the prison task force has recommended using new technology – more drug screenings and enhanced supervision of officers. statewide they have also already begun polygraph testing all co applicants to ensure only the best get in. and as for anyone else who may be conducting similar operations – the state had this message 183939 make no mistake about it , anybody who is corrupt we will find you and with our law enforcement officers we will prosecute you and we will send you to prison 183951 stand up 192929 now i have word from state officials that the correctional officers indicted in this case will keep their jobs and are suspended without pay until their court cases are held. reporting in baltimore, julian sadur 47 abc. 192943 of course we will continue to update you as more information comes in about this case. for more on our coverage of the alleged e-c-i contraband operation- just logon to 47-abc-dot-com. continuing on– federal officials– are now supporting members of the delaware state 47-abc-dot-com. continuing on– federal officials– are now supporting members of the delaware state police– in the fight against a freedom of information act — or foia request — for troopers to