SA: Drug ring uncovered in SA prison

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2009
SA: Drug ring uncovered in SA prison

ADELAIDE, April 2 AAP - A drug trafficking operation has been uncovered in South Australia's
Mobilong Prison with six inmates suspected of organising the trade.

The prisoners, including two with known links to bikie gangs, have been moved from
Mobilong, east of Adelaide, to the high security Yatala Prison.

They are suspected of organising drug deals both inside and outside Mobilong, and using
standover tactics against other prisoners.

Investigations into the drug operation are continuing.

Correctional Services Minister Tom Koutsantonis said on Thursday that Mobilong Prison
was locked down on Wednesday and all 319 inmates were strip-searched.

Cells were also raided with officers finding various items of contraband including
a mobile phone hidden inside a clock radio, razor blades, a knife, tattoo equipment, illicit
medication and home-brewed beer.

"This is the largest security operation undertaken at a South Australian prison in
the last 10 years," Mr Koutsantonis said.

"This operation has ensured greater safety for everyone within Mobilong Prison and
protects the public from the illegal activities of these convicted criminals."

The minister said the public should not be surprised that some convicted criminals
continued to break the law even after they were locked up.

"Our objective is to detect crime and contraband to protect prisoners from themselves
and keep the public safe," he said.

"It's encouraging to find that relatively few contraband items were confiscated in
this raid, compared to previous operations.

"It's a sign of the success of our enhanced prison security measures."

AAP tjd/sn/mn

KEYWORD: MOBILONG

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