Drug factory found in Indonesian prison

SURABAYA, Indonesia, May 28 (Reuters) Seven men have been arrested on suspicion of operating a drug factory producing methamphetamine in an Indonesian prison in East Java, police said today.

The seven, who were serving jail terms for drug dealing and possession, were arrested after a raid inside the jail on Friday, Adnas, a police officer heading the operation, said by telephone.

Police found equipment for producing methamphetamine, known locally as ''shabu'', and a pile of plastic wrappers during the raid on Medaeng jail near the city of Surabaya, he said.

Cannabis, ecstasy pills, methamphetamine and precursor material for making drugs worth 2 billion rupiah were also found inside three prison cells, he said.

''We searched 31 cells simultaneously because we didn't want to let inmates warn each other,'' said Adnas, who goes by only one name like many Indonesians.

Drugs are rife in Indonesian prisons, although it is rare to find production facilities.

REUTERS GL VV1538