• Suspects arrested following tip-offs and intelligence-led raids

A raid carried out in the Bentota Police Division by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) led to the arrest of two suspects in possession of five kgs and 105 g of heroin. 

The suspects, aged 40 and 45, are residents of the Bentota area. Further investigations into the incident are underway.

In a separate operation, the Kalutara Crime Division seized nearly 500 g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) valued at approximately Rs. five million from a suspect near the Aluthgama railway station.

Police stated the raid was conducted following information that an individual known as Unakuruwe Shantha, an organised crime figure and drug trafficker from the Southern Province, was operating a drug network in the Aluthgama and Welipenna areas.

A mobile phone suspected to have been used for drug trafficking was also seized. The suspect, a 22-year-old resident of Gintota, is believed to have been at the location to hand over the drugs to another individual.

During questioning, police stated that it was revealed that the suspect had close links with Unakuruwe Shantha. The suspect was to be produced before the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court.