Police seize hauls of narcotics, arrest six

By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

Six persons have been arrested with stocks of narcotics with a total street value of over Rs. 350 million, during a series of raids conducted by the police with the help of the STF, in Biyagama and Maharagama recently.

The narcotics had been sent by a criminal called Kamal living in Dubai, police said.

Fifteen kilos of ICE (crystal methamphetamine), eight kilos of heroin, 14 kilos of Hashish and 1.5 kilos of Kush were seized.

The first suspect was nabbed at a bus halt in Biyagama, with 2,310 mm of ICE in his possession. Later, his wife was taken into custody with 120 mm of ICE at their house in Bandarawatta.

The couple revealed they had received the drugs from a manager of a guest house at Bandarawatta.

During a subsequent raid, the manager was taken into custody with 5.5 mm of ICE in his possession. Upon questioning the manager divulged that he had received the drugs regularly from a person who would visit him again on 26 April.

The police waited for the narcotic courier turn up and arrested him. He had three kilos of ICE in his possession. In a subsequent raid at his house at Kaduwela Bomiriya, police found 12 kilos of ICE, 14 kilos of Hashish and 941 grams of heroin. The suspect said he had received the narcotics from a drug dealer, called Kamal, who is currently living in Dubai.

The six suspects were to be produced before the Mahara Magistrate.

The raids were conducted, under the supervision of Kelaniya Division SSP K Silva and ASP G Gunathilaka by Biyagama OIC CI Ajith Wijesinha, Crime Branch OIC SI Ashan Gamage, SI Sunl Shantha, PS 26942 Alwis, Constables 99918 Yohan, 103657 Jayasinghe and WPC 11658 Dilrukshi.