Guard, 6 others accused in Kansas prison smuggling scheme

(AP) — A guard at a Kansas lockup for federal detainees is among seven people accused of scheming to smuggle methamphetamines, synthetic marijuana and alcohol into the site, at times making the exchanges during drug-treatment programs and church services, a federal prosecutor alleged Monday.

The charges announced by U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom offer a glimpse inside the Leavenworth Detention Center where he said inmates talked of getting "blistered" — a slang term for high — on drugs and resembling "zombies."

Authorities allege the scheme revolved around Anthon Aiono, a 28-year-old guard who is accused of receiving the contraband from an outside supplier and sneaked it into the lockup, with friends and relatives of the inmates helping move money from buyers to sellers by wire transfers and other means.