BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) A newly hired corrections cadet at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel has been accused of attempting to smuggle contraband to inmates at the prison, according to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

Spokesperson Ken Pastorick says officers at the prison arrested 21-year-old Paige Destanie M. Ruiz of Prairieville.

He said investigators found a paper bag with six cell phones, 45 pieces of loose-leaf paper sprayed with a substance suspected to be synthetic cannabinoid enclosed in clear bags, a four-ounce clear bottle of a liquid substance suspected of being cough syrup with codeine, 250 pills suspected to be MDMA (ecstasy), three packs of tobacco, 42 Nugenix Total-T testosterone pills, five taped bundles of suspected illicit substances containing 200 grams, and 26 cell phone manuals with activation packages, and two cigars in her front pants pocket.

Investigators also found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, several containers of alcohol, and one glass bottle of hand sanitizer inside of her car, Pastorick said.

Authorities were aware Ruiz was attempting to make a drop and did a stake out at the prison.

Ruiz was arrested and booked into the Iberville Parish Prison on eight counts of introduction of contraband into a penal institution, malfeasance in office, possession with intent to distribute MDMA, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance.

Ruiz had been a probational employee since May 11, 2020 Pastorick said.