- 5 arrested by STF, boat seized
- PNB gets new SSP Director
The exact contents of the 51 packages found floating adrift on the seas off the Southern coast, which were recovered by the Navy and brought to the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour on Tuesday evening (14), have been revealed by the Navy yesterday (15).
Accordingly, the packages contain a total of 670 kg and 676 g of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’), 156 kg and 542 g of heroin and 12 kg and 36 g of hashish, per an expert examination by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), according to the Navy Spokesperson. According to the Navy, three of the parcels were suspected to contain heroin, while the remaining 48 were believed to contain ‘ice’.
It is reported that the drug consignment is suspected to belong to the drug trafficker known by the alias ‘Unakuruwe Shantha’.
In this regard, Special Task Force (STF) personnel arrested five suspects and also seized the boat used for smuggling.
PNB former Director Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hemal Prashantha had previously received information early last month (September) regarding an attempt to smuggle a consignment of drugs into the country using three vessels.
Accordingly, the Navy and the PNB, under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police, conducted search operations in the Dondra and Tangalle sea areas for 32 days. During the operations, the authorities had contacted the crews of the vessels in question; however, they had not provided any specific information. It was also revealed that the vessel monitoring systems installed on the vessels had been deactivated to conceal their locations. Although the Air Force also took part in the operation, no information was obtained regarding the whereabouts of the three vessels.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Defence, (Retired) Major General Aruna Jayasekera, speaking to the media, reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding future generations from the scourge of drugs, a grave threat to public safety and national security. He elaborated on the Government’s ‘Ratama Ekata National Operation’ comprehensive national programme aimed at eradicating the drug menace from the country.
He also highlighted that by empowering all intelligence and law enforcement agencies, including the State Intelligence Service, the Tri-Forces, the Police, the PNB, the STF, and the Coast Guard, to conduct independent and coordinated operations, drug raids have yielded remarkable success. He further reiterated that with the collective efforts and coordination of all stakeholders dedicated to safeguarding national security, no avenue exists for the smuggling of illegal substances, including narcotics, into the country via sea routes. He affirmed that any attempt to smuggle drugs under the pretext of fishing or to aid and abet such activities will be firmly prevented. He further assured that joint operations will continue under a unified strategy to eradicate the menace.
Elsewhere, SSP) Hemal Prashantha has been transferred to the Police Field Force Headquarters as its Acting Commander while SSP H.M.C.P. Herath has been appointed as the new Director of the PNB.