Dubai haven for Lankan drug lords

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

INTERPOL Red Notices has been issued for 132 Sri Lankan drug traffickers who fled the country, says Senior Police Media Spokesperson SDIG Ajith Rohana.

Most of them were hiding in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, SDIG Rohana said on Sunday, adding that the police had commenced an extensive investigation into the assets of drug dealers.

The Police Narcotics Bureau and the STF arrested 95,000 persons last year, during raids.

Among the items taken into custody are 1,630 kilos of heroin, 15,000 kilos of cannabis and about 377 kilos of synthetic drugs.

SDIG Rohana said so far in 2022 nearly 800 suspects had been arrested for drug dealing. About 360 kilos of heroin and 2100 kilos of cannabis had been seized, he said.

Drug raids would be increased during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and it had been decided to reward those who provided information about drug dealers, the SDIG said.