Pubdate: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2001 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39 Author: Temsak Traisophon DRUG-DEALING CLAIM LEADS TO RAID OF PRISON Inmate Denies Selling Pills From Within Jail The Corrections Department chief yesterday raided Bangkok's Bang Khwang Central Prison after a methamphetamines suspect claimed an inmate was running his drug business from inside the maximum security jail. Director-general Siva Saengmanee, accompanied by police and corrections officials, questioned the alleged dealer, Vachara Thaipat, who is serving a 32-year jail term for murder, robbery and rape. Drug suspect Sa-nga Rakchan _ arrested in Surat Thani on Thursday while allegedly in possession of 7,200 speed pills _ had implicated Vachara, claiming he ordered methamphetamines by calling the inmate on his mobile phone. Yesterday's raid uncovered only a small amount of cash which was prohibited in the prison, Mr Siva said. He said Vachara denied knowing anything about the drug allegations. The department chief yesterday set up a panel to investigate the claims, with findings expected within 15 days. Mr Siva said authorities had investigated the mobile phone number given to them by Mr Sa-nga but could not trace its owner. "It is a pre-paid mobile phone and we can't trace the calls or conversations," he said. However, Mr Siva said a bank account to which Mr Sa-nga claimed he had transferred 160,000 baht provided a second lead for investigators. Mr Siva revealed that Vachara's imminent transfer to a Surat Thani prison was on hold following the allegation. He said the department had previously checked a similar claim of a drug-dealing inmate at the Bangkok prison but had found the allegation was baseless. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth