Police have seized over 100 kg of heroin concealed in six sacks at Kapparathota Beach in Weligama, following information obtained from five suspects arrested by the Navy off Dondra.
The Police Special Task Force (STF) recovered the consignment, packed in 120 packets, during a coordinated operation conducted yesterday (15) morning.
Two satellite phones and an internet connectivity device were also recovered from the beach.
The operation was launched following information revealed by five suspects arrested by the Navy during a search operation in the Southern seas on Tuesday (13). The Navy had intercepted a suspicious local multi-day fishing trawler off Dondra and apprehended the five suspects.
The subsequent operation involved the Navy, the State Intelligence Service, the Police, the STF, the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and the Coast Guard.
The five suspects arrested by the Navy have been handed over to the PNB for further legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, six suspects, including two women, have been arrested with 112 grams (g) of heroin at a rented house in Halpita, Polgasowita, where they were allegedly involved in drug trafficking and packaging.
The raid was conducted by the Kesbewa Police based on confidential information received by the Officer-in-Charge of the station. Police recovered the heroin, an electronic scale and small paper packets bearing an emblem, allegedly used to package the drugs.
A married couple is among those arrested. One suspect is also reportedly linked to an incident several months ago in which a woman sustained serious injuries after a group broke into a house in Boralesgamuwa. Another suspect has pending court cases involving theft, robbery and drug-related offences, while the others have also reportedly faced criminal charges.
During questioning, the main suspect had allegedly disclosed that the drugs belonged to an organised criminal and drug trafficker known as ‘Bodhiwatte Avishka’. The suspects had allegedly operated a distribution network, delivering narcotics to various locations on instructions received from the alleged drug trafficker over the phone.
The suspects were due to be produced before the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court, where the Police were expected to seek detention orders.
In a separate incident, three Thai nationals were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for allegedly attempting to smuggle hashish worth approximately Rs. 51 million into the country.
The arrests were made by PNB officers early yesterday. The suspects, aged 22, 22 and 33, are reportedly drivers by profession and had arrived from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG 307 at around 12.30 a.m.
Police found 5 kg and 96 g of hashish concealed inside containers of cosmetic products packed in three pieces of luggage carried by the suspects.
The three suspects and the seized hashish were scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday.