Prisoners caught using drugs

JAKARTA (JP): Security officials of the Cipinang penitentiary in East Jakarta and the Salemba prison in Central Jakarta arrested eight prisoners for alleged abuse and possession of drugs in separate raids on Thursday.

Soebroto, a security chief at the Cipinang penitentiary, said officials raided the cells and found that five prisoners were smoking drugs.

"We seized a package of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine), some paraphernalia and two smoking pipes."

"Those prisoners could not deny it because we caught them red- handed," he said.

The five were identified as 41-year-old Wilia Wirio and Hendra Liong, Lee Sep Neng, Nur Samasih and Billy. All are in their mid 30s. All of the five have been detained at the penitentiary's Blok 3E.

Soebroto said officials conducted sporadic raids at least twice a month.

Separately, in Salemba prison, officials arrested three prisoners for drug possession on Thursday, the Salemba prison chief said.

Slamet Priantoro said officials seized three packages of shabu-shabu, a pack of five rolled marijuana cigarettes and a knife.

The three, identified as France Supit, Andi Laude and Musa were being imprisoned in Blok L, along with twelve other prisoners.

"We have moved them to other cells in Blok N with other drug addicts," Slamet said.

Central Jakarta police detectives chief, Capt. Hendra Suhartiyono, said the police would further investigate the case to find the suppliers, their networks and how they operate. (06)