Lino Lakes Correctional Facility officer charged in alleged drug smuggling scheme

Lino Lakes Correctional Facility officer charged in alleged drug smuggling scheme By KSTP Courtesy: Anoka County Sheriff's Office A Lino Lakes Correctional Facility Corrections officer has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into the prison.Minu Yang, 27, has been charged with bringing contraband into a state prison where he had been working as a correctional officer.Court documents allege investigators were tipped off on Oct. 19 about an “ongoing conspiracy” to smuggle controlled substances into the Lino Lakes facility.While investigating the tip, authorities said they learned an incarcerated inmate at the facility, the prisoner’s mother and Yang had coordinated a plan to bring drugs into the facility.Yang reportedly would have the drugs mailed to his home, after which he would soak the drugs onto nine sheets of beading paper and bring the paper to the prison on Monday.On the day Yang was supposed to deliver the papers, court documents state he was arrested shortly after entering the Lino Lake facility, and authorities discovered the nine sheets of beading paper.While speaking with authorities, Yang allegedly confessed to bringing the drugs into the prison, stating he would receive $2,000 in exchange for bringing the papers into the facility.At this time, the papers are still being tested for drugs.The Department of Corrections released a statement regarding Yang’s arrest, stating he is still an employee with the department:“Minu Yang is currently employed by the Minnesota Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer 2 at the Minnesota Correctional Facility–Lino Lakes. He began his employment with the DOC on July 3, 2024. He remains employed with DOC but is not assigned to work within a facility. Yang was arrested following a joint investigation involving the DOC’s Office of Special Investigations, the Lino Lakes Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service into allegations of suspected narcotics introduction into the correctional facility. The DOC takes action when allegations of criminal activity by staff arise. Maintaining the safety and security of our correctional facilities is a top priority, and we appreciate the strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies that help us uphold that commitment.”