Makandure Madush killed in his accomplice’s bid to free him from police

Local Magistrate visits the scene of yesterday’s shooting where gangster Makadure Madush died (pic by Saman Ranaweera)

By Norman Palihawadana and Hemantha Randunu

Drug lord and underworld leader Makandure Madush died in the early hours of yesterday following an exchange of fire between the police and some underworld figures at the Lakshitha Mahal Housing Complex at Maligawatte.

Madush who was in the custody of the CID for one and a half years after he was sent back by Dubai, where he had gone into hiding was handed over to the Colombo Crime Division a few weeks ago for further investigations.

According to Police, the incident occurred when Madush was brought back from the 10th floor of the Maligawatte housing complex, where a haul of heroin with a street value of Rs. 220 million was taken into custody. The members of Madush’s underworld gang fired at the police in a bid to free Madush from police custody.

In the exchange of fire Madush was seriously injured and on admission to the National Hospital, the drug lord breathed his last.

In the clash, two policemen were also injured.

The policemen were out of danger, hospital sources said.

One policeman received injuries after one of the two gang members threw a grenade at the police and the other in the exchange of fire.

The duo who arrived on a motorcycle fled the scene when their bid to save Madush failed. The motorcycle was found abandoned at the bridge at Babapulle Road at Maligawatte. The police said the motorcycle had been stolen from its owner, in Wellawatte.

The police also recovered two 9 mm pistols used by the underworld figures.

Earlier, the CCD recovered a haul of drugs with a street value of Rs.100 million belonging to Madush from a garage on information provided by him.

The police had provided Madush with a mobile phone to talk to his contacts to gather more information about the haul of drugs. 

Two women were fighting each other claiming the ownership of a 60-room hotel owned by Madush. However, the police said following Madush’s death the right of ownership of Madush’s wealth and properties could only be claimed by his wife.