Four crime syndicate members arrested at BIA before they fled to Dubai

BY Hemantha Randunu

Officers attached to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) yesterday foiled an attempt by four underworld members including Gamage Saranga Pradeep alias Welle Saranga to leave for Dubai via the BIA.

 SDIG Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon said that a number of underworld figures were attempting to flee the country due to the ongoing anti-crime operations.

 CCD officers yesterday received a tip-off that some underworld figures were at the BIA awaiting departure. Saranga heads an underworld gang based in Modera. The gang makes money by bringing in Kerala ganja from India and Saranga is accused of a number of crimes including murders, extortion and robberies.

 The others arrested are Ishara Lakmal, Buddhika Sanjeewa and Mohommad Tupar. They are members of Angoda Lokka’s gang. The four men were carrying Rs. 2.9 million in cash. They were taken to the CCD for further investigations.