CID arrests nine brokers, investigating officials

Scam at passport office

By Hemantha Randunu and Chaminda Silva

The CID yesterday commenced an investigation to apprehend officials of the Department of Immigration and Emigration for taking large bribes to fast track the issuing of passports.This follows the arrest of nine brokers who were involved in the racket.A CID sleuth told The Island that these individuals had charged about Rs 25,000 to fast track the issuance of a passport.

The CID said that a large number of people were trying to obtain passports and some officials and brokers were making the most of the desperation of the people to enrich themselves.

The CID started the investigation following complaints of the racket and had deployed detectives in civvies at the passport office premises.The passport office issues a limited number of passports these days due to technical issues.