Temporary Residence for Pete Doherty

Drugs seized as Scrubs reported on "lockdown"

The presence of Pete Doherty in Wormwood Scrubs - on the fringes of Acton and Shepherd's Bush - has caused a stir in the national press, as well as revealing less than savoury details about the life of inmates at the jail.

Tabloid newspapers including the Daily Mail and the Sun reported recently that more than 20 drug-dealing prisoners were seized after the singer was pictured allegedly taking heroin in prison.

The Babyshambles lead singer was apparently shocked when Wormwood Scrubs was put on "lockdown". Warders raided cells in four wings and found significant amounts of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis. A large amount of the heroin substitute methadone was also seized in cells away from the detox area where it is prescribed. The raids took place as a result of media reports about Doherty continuing to take drugs in jail, despite doctors trying to wean him off during his time behind bars.

It was reported that prisoners found with the drugs have been taken to other jails across London and the South East.

Doherty, 29, was sentenced for breaching bail conditions over drug offences. He has served two weeks of his 14-week sentence

A source at the prison was reported to have said: "Drug use is rife but key figures who were supplying the whole jail have now been moved and separated, which means the gang culture will hopefully begin to lose its grip."

The source also said dealers had targeted Doherty because they could overcharge him.

"Everybody knows Pete's got money," he said. "Heroin is sold here for £20 for 0.1 of a gram but they are charging Pete £50 to £100 for that. He knows he's being ripped off but all he cares about is a fix. 80% of inmates use methadone. Many who come in here haven't had a drug problem but get bored and depressed and turn to drugs, which are everywhere. The system turns them into addicts."

A Prison Service spokesman said: "A full lockdown search was conducted following significant intelligence. Mobile phones, drugs and other items were found. This was entirely unrelated to the arrival of Pete Doherty at the prison."

May 6, 2008