34 arrested so far in PNB narcotics smuggling case: CID

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday (Mar. 29) informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddika Sri Ragala that 34 people were arrested following investigations conducted into the narcotic smuggling racket carried out by several officers attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) along with drug smugglers. According to the CID, of the 34 suspects, 20 are Police officers and the remaining 14 are civilians. Presenting an investigation report, the Criminal Investigations Department also pointed out to the court that the suspects will be further interrogated based on detention orders obtained from the Ministry of Defence, under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The detained suspects are an Inspector of the Police Special Task Force, a Sub Inspector who served at the Police Narcotics Bureau, five other police officers, and nine civilians. In its report, the CID further informed the court that 15 police officers including two Police Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors who served at the Police Narcotics Bureau and five civilians were named as suspects to the case and remanded after being produced in court.