Pubdate: Sun, 22 Oct 2000
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2000
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Author: Anucha Charoenpo

EXECUTIONER ARREST LINKED TO DRUGS RING

Police may have cracked a drugs ring flourishing in a city jail, after the 
arrest on Friday of a 39-year-old executioner from Bang Kwang maximum 
security prison.

One Corrections Department official, and three others, including a former 
policeman, were arrested. Deputy Interior Minister Vatana Asavahame has 
ordered an inquiry.

The drama unfolded after executioner Prayut Sanan's wife, Manee Manee-in, 
30, was found in possession of 110,000 methamphetamine pills in front of 
Phra Nangklao hospital in Nonthaburi's Muang district, police said.

A search of their home and her husband's car in the prison parking lot 
yielded another 700,000 tablets, four pistols and an assault rifle, they said.

The three others arrested were Chatchawan Primkamin, 50, Somchai 
Kusolpiensuk, 51, an ex-policeman, and Samart Kongsuth, 38, a Corrections 
Department official.

Police said they confessed to possessing the drug but denied intending to 
sell it to prisoners.

Pol Gen Pornsak Durongkhaviboon, the national police chief, said the arrest 
confirmed suspicions the drugs trade was flourishing in prisons.

Siwa Saengmanee, the Corrections Department chief, will be asked to step up 
measures to deal with the problem.
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