• Duo nabbed with ‘Ice’
• Father nabbed for showing obscene videos 
• Rs. 1.5 m robber nabbed for intimidating woman 
• Org. crime suspect arrested with Rs. 900 m ‘Ice’
• Suspect found with weapons 
• Suspect nabbed with Rs. 16 m+ illegal cigs 
• 18-23-yr-old street racers nabbed with 10 high-capacity mo’bikes including a fake no. plate
• Bus driver sans valid driving licence nabbed for drug use 

The largest quantity of drugs seized by law enforcement officials in recent history was recorded last year (in 2025), the Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and attorney, F.U. Wootler stated. He made this revelation while addressing a special media briefing at the Government Information Department yesterday (22) to highlight the progress of the “Nation United - National Drive Programme Update.” Wootler further stated that in 2024, a total of 10,871 kilograms (kgs) of drugs — including heroin, cannabis, crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), hashish, and cocaine — were seized by the Police. In 2025, Police have seized 23,692 kgs and 307 grams (gs), representing a more than twofold increase compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, two individuals have been arrested for the possession of one kg and 501 gs of ‘Ice’ by the Madampitiya Police. The seizure was made earlier yesterday morning after the Police apprehended two suspicious individuals inside a three-wheeler parked near the Sathhiru Sevana apartment complex in Madampitiya. The suspects, aged 24 and 29, are residents of Wellampitiya and Colombo, the Police said. Upon inspection, Police uncovered a bag in the possession of one suspect containing ‘Ice’, an electronic weighing scale, and Rs. 18,000 suspected to be proceeds from trafficking narcotics. A further 201 gs of ‘Ice’ has been seized from the possession of the other suspect.

Elsewhere, an individual has been arrested in connection with allegations that obscene video material was shown to minor schoolgirls on multiple occasions. He has been arrested following complaints lodged by students from Nanu Oya, alleging that the suspect had exposed schoolgirls aged between 11 and 14 years to inappropriate visual content. Statements have been formally recorded from the complainants, the Officer-in-Charge of the Nanu Oya Police Station stated. The suspect, a 56-year-old resident of Nanu Oya and a father of three, was scheduled to be produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court (MC) on Wednesday (21). Officers attached to the Women’s and Children’s Bureau of the Nanu Oya Police Station, had been conducting public awareness programmes on child abuse and sexual offences targeting local residents, schoolchildren, and estate sector workers. Information received during the course of these programmes led to the identification of the suspect and the subsequent arrest. Six complainant schoolgirls have been referred to the Judicial Medical Officer at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital for medical examinations.

Further, an individual has been arrested for allegedly robbing Rs. 1.5 million by intimidating a woman in Millaniya. The incident was reported to the Millaniya Police Station on 15 January of this year (2026), following which investigations were launched by the Panadura Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau. As part of the investigation, officers attached to the Bureau arrested a suspect within the Wadduwa Police Division, and recovered a motorcycle and Rs. 490,000, believed to be part of the stolen cash. The suspect, aged 44, is a resident of Waskaduwa.

Also, an individual has been arrested for the possession of over 61 kgs of “Ice” in the Pinnagolla Estate, Nittambuwa. He was arrested during an operation conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) based on information received by the Gonahena STF Camp. During the operation, the suspect was arrested while transporting a consignment of 61 kgs and 838 gs of “Ice” in a three-wheeler. The seized narcotics are valued at around Rs. 900 million while the three-wheeler has also been taken into custody. Investigations have revealed that the suspect is a close associate of organised criminals and drug traffickers, including the individual known by the alias “Dubai Varun” and Mohammed Siddiq, who are currently overseas, as well as Dilindu Sanjeewa alias “Lena” who is presently imprisoned.

Moreover, an individual has been arrested by the Homicide and Organised Crime Investigation Division for the possession of a firearm and a locally manufactured hand grenade. The arrest was made on Tuesday night (20) in Siyambalangamuwa, Meegalewa. The suspect is a 39-year-old resident of Galgamuwa. The suspect had previously been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department while in possession of a Type-56 firearm. It has been revealed that he is a close associate of an organised criminal currently living abroad.

Additionally, the Anuradhapura High Court (HC) has sentenced a 75-year-old man to death for murdering an individual in 2015 with a sharp weapon. However, two of his sons who were co-accused in the case have been acquitted. The judgment was delivered by the Anuradhapura Provincial HC Judge Lakmali Hewawasam. According to the Judge, the plaintiff succeeded in proving beyond reasonable doubt that the 75-year-old man committed the murder, while the evidence against his two sons was insufficient to substantiate the charges, leading to their acquittal and immediate release. The incident occurred on 8 October 2015, in Padaviya, Welioya. The deceased was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon by the accused. The case was filed under Section 296 of the Penal Code. The initial inquiry into the case was conducted at the Kebithigollewa MC, and after the indictment, the trial was transferred to the Anuradhapura HC. Ten witnesses were cited during the proceedings, and the Welioya Police carried out the investigations related to the incident.

Furthermore, a total of 652 individuals have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in criminal activities and also over illicit liquor and drug-related offenses during a special island-wide operation conducted on Tuesday. As part of the operation, 30,214 people were subjected to inspection. Police have identified 24 individuals directly linked to criminal activities while 425 suspects with outstanding warrants were arrested during the operation. A total of 397 drunk drivers were apprehended while a further 52 reckless drivers and 4,777 persons who violated various other traffic offences were identified.

In addition, an individual has been arrested with a stock of 165,200 illegally imported cigarettes from a residence in Wellampitiya. The arrest was made during a raid conducted with the assistance of officers attached to the Police STF Camp in Rajagiriya, based on Army intelligence. The value of the seized cigarettes stock is estimated at Rs. 16.52 million. The suspect and the seized stock of cigarettes have been handed over to the Wellampitiya Police Station for further investigations. 

Additionally, several individuals have been arrested along with 10 high-engine capacity motorcycles that were being used for illegal street racing along the Sangamitta Mawatha in Matale. One of the seized motorcycles had been operated with fraudulently altered number plates. According to the Matale Police, the riders involved were between the ages of 18 and 23. In a separate incident, the Matale Police also arrested an individual who was operating a Colombo–Matale bus without a valid driving licence while under the influence of narcotics. The raids were carried out by the Traffic Division of the Matale Police Station. The suspects are due to be produced before the Matale Magistrate’s Court.