Heroin worth over Rs. 1 Billion seized in Colpetty

Colombo (News1st): Five suspects including two American nationals were arrested for the possession of over 95 kg of Heroin in Colpetty. According to police the stash of heroin was discovered in a raid jointly conducted by the Police Special Task Force and the Police Narcotics Bureau this afternoon. A 29-year-old American national was initially arrested while he was in possession of over a kilogram of heroin near the entrance to a supermarket in Colpetty. The suspect was arrested along with two Sri Lankans aged 41 and 39, who came there to purchase the drugs. They are residents of Hikkaduwa. The luxury vehicle used by the suspects was also seized. Police discovered a set of keys with a tag carrying the address of a luxury apartment complex along Terrence road in Colpetty when they searched the American national. The Police then raided this apartment complex and discovered the stash of heroin and two other suspects, a 45-year-old Afghan and another American national. Over 95 kilograms of heroin were discovered inside four travel bags. According to police the drugs seized was valued over Rs. 1,141 million. Police also seized nine cell phones, three laptops and the passports belonging to the foreign nationals who were at the apartment complex. Since the shift in government on the 8th of January 2015, up until the 26th of October 2018, the Police Department was under the purview of the Ministry of Law and Order, and the portfolio was held by a member of the United National Party. Later on the 26th of October 2018 it was gazetted under the purview of the President. Since then the police have seized about 600 kgs of drugs on the island. They repeatedly stated that they would hold a tough stance against fraud, corruption, and crime. The Police Financial Crimes Investigations division was created based on these promises. However, the general public of the country is sceptic as to whether proper action was taken against large scale fraud and corruption during the past 4 years. On the 25th of July 2018 Co Cabinet spokesperson Minister (Dr.) Rajitha Senaratne noted that they have discovered few overseas bank accounts and were taking diplomatic steps to recover it. He added that this was the money that was taken through the MiG deal. Although Ministers made such bold statements saying that they are aware of the bank accounts that hold the money stolen from the country, in the end, these very same ministers embarked on business ventures with people accused of fraud. It seems as if the Police has expedited law enforcement. The Police are working towards conducting drug busts as well as curbing crime in the country. The Police FCID informed the Fort Magistrate today that the investigations into the Central Bank Bond Scam that was delayed for many years have now begun. They added that they have information to confirm that the EPF suffered a loss of over Rs. 8 billion due to the Bond scam. Although there is room for these scams to be forgotten as time passes by, the people of this country continue to be hopeful that the perpetrators of this massive scam will be brought to justice.