Deep Sea Heroin Bust : 12 suspects remanded & 5 released

by Zulfick Farzan 31-01-2022 | 2:46 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); 12 suspects who were arrested over the recent seizure of 350 kg of heroin in international waters were remanded until the 15th of February by Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala.

A total of 17 suspects were arrested and 5 of them were released by order of the Chief Magistrate.

They were released following a request made by the Police Narcotic Bureau noting that as per the investigations it was revealed that the five men were not involved in the smuggling of heroin.

The 17 suspects who were detained under Detention Orders were produced to court on Monday (31).

The seized stock of heroin was also produced to court by the Police Narcotic Bureau.

In a successful operation carried out in international waters south of Sri Lanka, the Navy managed to seize a haul of heroin, with 11 suspects and 02 local fishing vessels on 17th and 22nd January 2022. 6 others including boat owners were arrested thereafter.

The consignment of heroin in 309 packages, which had been stuffed in 13 sacks, weighed approx. 343kg 456g (including packages).

The street value of the seized consignment of illegal drugs is believed to be over Rs. 3400 million.