Heroin seized in seas off Weligama belong to 'Harak Kata' - Police

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police obtained Detention Orders (D/O) against the 11 suspects who were arrested over the weekend for trafficking over 200 kg of heroin in the seas off Weligama.

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said 09 suspects were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy and 02 suspects were arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau.

"These suspects will be detained at the Police Narcotic Bureau for 07 days for investigations," said the Police Spokesperson.

In addition, another 02 suspects were arrested on Monday (14) for aiding and abetting the drug trafficking operation.

"The PNB will also obtain Detention Orders against these two suspects as well," said the Police Spokesperson.

Investigations into the drug trafficking operation revealed that the head of this operation is a wanted drug trafficker in Sri Lanka identified as Nadun Chinthaka alias 'Harak Kata'.

'The suspect is believed to be calling the shots in this operation from Dubai," said DIG Ajith Rohana.

A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the coastal area of Polwathumodara, Weligama on 12th June 2021, led to the seizure of over 219kg of heroin attempted to be smuggled into the island by sea.

This special anti-drug operation conducted by the Navy made way to the seizure of this stock of about 219.8kg of heroin which was attempted to be smuggled in by a dinghy through the Polwathumodara area in Weligama and hideaway, after having brought to seas off Weligama by a multi-day fishing trawler.

The consignment had been concealed in sacks and gas cylinders when the apprehension was made.

The multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Navy on suspicion of smuggling heroin had left the Kottegoda fisheries harbour, Matara on 11th May 2021 and it is suspected that the consignment of narcotics was taken to the trawler from foreign smugglers in international waters.

Meanwhile, the street value of the seized consignment of heroin is believed to be over Rs. 1758 million.

The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols in force to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The suspects held during this operation were residents of Weligama, Ahangama, Dikwella, Kottegoda, Ihalawatta, Mirissa, Polwathumodara, and Piliyandala, from 26 to 43 years of age.

Meanwhile, the Navy and Police Narcotic Bureau are conducting further investigation into the incident.