Sheriff: Guards arrested at troubled Richland County, South Carolina, jail on smuggling and drug charges

Two South Carolina prison guards were arrested on contraband charges after their vehicles were searched while on the job, the Richland County Sheriff's Department announced Friday.

The Sheriff's Department conducted an unscheduled search of all Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center employee vehicles during a shift change around 6 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

Bridget Williams, 37, was charged with possession and contraband as well as distribution of methamphetamine.

Ashanti Rembert, 50, was charged with possession and delivery of contraband and possession of controlled substances.

Both were released on bail.

The sheriff's department said the unscheduled search was a response to a recent increase in drugs and unknown substances in the prison. As a result, several inmates died from overdoses and others had to be hospitalized.

As The State previously reported, the August 14 overdose at the prison was the fourth in four weeks.