Police have launched an investigation into an international drug trafficking network following the seizure of approximately 472 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine Ice, from a container at the Colombo Port. Police suspect that the consignment was sent to Sri Lanka by a drug trafficker known as Paravi Suda who is believed to be currently in Pakistan after fleeing Dubai. Investigators also suspect that Angoda Priyantha and Ruben may have been involved in the operation.

The drugs were discovered on Monday (31) while searching a container at a Port container yard. The consignment had reportedly been concealed inside towels. The investigation was launched after Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ranmal Kodituwakku received information from a private informant based overseas that a container suspected of containing Ice was at the Port. Following the information, Police obtained a court order on 28 August to inspect the container. Officers from the Police Narcotics Bureau and Customs assisted in the subsequent search. The container had reportedly been scheduled for re-export to Morocco. However, investigators suspect that the actual intention was to smuggle the drugs into Sri Lanka. The shipment had been imported under the name of a Sri Lankan businessman. 

A 44-year-old businessman from Dematagoda, identified as Arumugam Shashidharan, was subsequently arrested. The questioning of the businessman led investigators to two Pakistani nationals allegedly connected to the consignment. Officers from the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau later arrested the two suspects at an apartment complex in Colombo. The two Pakistani nationals told investigators the drug consignment had been arranged to be brought to Sri Lanka through Shashidharan’s company.