A combined force of 750 police and corrections officials raided Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi on Wednesday and seized 28 mobile phones in an anti-drug operation at the prison.
Drug suspect ‘Boss’ held DeputyPMChalerm Yubamrung points at suspected drug trafficker Chinnavat ‘‘Boss’’ Naitrimit, who had a 500,000 baht bounty on his head. A total of 55 items, including 4 million baht and gold ornaments worth 61 million baht, were seized from him. He was taken before reporters yesterday at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.
Authorities also found television sets, CD and DVD players, MP3/MP4 players and materials used in gambling.
No drugs were found, but more than 200 prisoners out of 1,000 tested positive for drugs in a random testing.
Pol Maj Gen Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, acting chief of Police Region 1 Bureau, said the prison raid followed the confiscation of 3.5kg of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, on May 14 from people who told police investigators they had ordered the drugs from Bang Kwang inmates.
He said prison staff were suspected of helping smuggle the seized items.
"The items were smuggled through normal channels like visitors.
"The Corrections Department needs to do more to tighten this loophole," he said.
Nonthaburi governor Wichian Putthiwinyu said the operation was part of attempts to rein in drug networks operating from inside the prison.
Mr Wichian said recent prison raids nationwide suggested drug traffickers in other prisons had contact with inmates at Bang Kwang.
He said impromptu searches would continue to ensure inmates are no longer able to smuggle in prohibited items.
Corrections Department chief Pol Col Suchart Wonganantchai said the prison chief has been ordered to investigate how the prohibited items were smuggled.
He said the seized electronic devices will be examined to determine if they were modified to work as communications tools. Pol Col Suchart said the prison raids were successful due to cooperation between police and local authorities.
Drug suspect ‘Boss’ held DeputyPMChalerm Yubamrung points at suspected drug trafficker Chinnavat ‘‘Boss’’ Naitrimit, who had a 500,000 baht bounty on his head. A total of 55 items, including 4 million baht and gold ornaments worth 61 million baht, were seized from him. He was taken before reporters yesterday at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.
Authorities also found television sets, CD and DVD players, MP3/MP4 players and materials used in gambling.
No drugs were found, but more than 200 prisoners out of 1,000 tested positive for drugs in a random testing.
Pol Maj Gen Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, acting chief of Police Region 1 Bureau, said the prison raid followed the confiscation of 3.5kg of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, on May 14 from people who told police investigators they had ordered the drugs from Bang Kwang inmates.
He said prison staff were suspected of helping smuggle the seized items.
"The items were smuggled through normal channels like visitors.
"The Corrections Department needs to do more to tighten this loophole," he said.
Nonthaburi governor Wichian Putthiwinyu said the operation was part of attempts to rein in drug networks operating from inside the prison.
Mr Wichian said recent prison raids nationwide suggested drug traffickers in other prisons had contact with inmates at Bang Kwang.
He said impromptu searches would continue to ensure inmates are no longer able to smuggle in prohibited items.
Corrections Department chief Pol Col Suchart Wonganantchai said the prison chief has been ordered to investigate how the prohibited items were smuggled.
He said the seized electronic devices will be examined to determine if they were modified to work as communications tools. Pol Col Suchart said the prison raids were successful due to cooperation between police and local authorities.
