• 781 netted in island-wide ops., Indian nabbed at BIA with Rs. 34 m heroin 

The island-wide anti-drug operation is scheduled to commence on 30 October, the Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has stated. The operation, under the theme “Nation United – National Drive” will be launched at 10 a.m. on 30 October, at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. The National Council on Drug Abuse, District councils, regional councils and public security committees will work collectively to implement the island-wide programme.

Meanwhile, a total of 781 suspects have been arrested for being involved in criminal activities and also over illicit liquor and drug-related offenses during a special island-wide operation conducted on 26 October. As part of the operation, 29,884 people were subjected to inspection, the Police Media Division said. Police have identified 17 suspects directly linked to criminal activities while 485 suspects with outstanding warrants were arrested during the operation. A total of 26 drunk drivers were apprehended while a further 25 reckless drivers and 4,306 persons who violated various other traffic offences were identified. Island-wide operations are conducted to apprehend small, medium, and large-scale drug traffickers, suspects involved in criminal activities, and those in possession of illegal firearms.

Elsewhere, a foreign passenger who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, carrying a stock of heroin valued at Rs. 34 million, has been arrested by officers of the Narcotics Control Division of the Customs. The suspect has been identified as a 32-year-old Indian national. He had arrived at the BIA at around 4.15 p.m. on 26 October from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aboard the SriLankan Airlines flight UL-315. During an inspection, officers of the Division discovered two kilograms and 832 grams of heroin concealed inside his luggage, leading to his arrest. Investigations have revealed the Indian national, who arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time, had planned to hand over the stock of heroin to a local drug dealer at a hotel in Bambalapitiya. The seized heroin and suspect were later handed over to the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau officers for further investigations. The suspect was scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (27), where the Police are expected to seek a detention order for further questioning.