Police Seize Rs. 6 Billion in Assets Linked to Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking

COLOMBO (News1st);Police say that assets worth Rs. 6 Billion owned by organized criminals and drug traffickers have been seized since the current government came into power, following 113 investigations.

Out of this, assets valued at Rs. 5,423 million are owned by 102 drug traffickers and organized criminals, with properties worth Rs. 209 million belonging to three major organized criminals alone.

Additionally, assets worth Rs. 367 million owned by eight suspects involved in pyramid schemes, child abuse, explosives, and various other frauds have also been confiscated. 

The seized assets include:

55 houses valued at Rs. 1,437 million

138 acres of land valued at Rs. 1,322 million

142 vehicles valued at Rs. 1,171 million

27 bank accounts with funds worth Rs. 428 million

Gold valued at Rs. 168 million

21 shops/commercial units valued at Rs. 214 million

8 buildings valued at Rs. 250 million

12 multi-day fishing vessels valued at Rs. 305 million

Cash totaling Rs. 461 million

Various other properties valued at Rs. 239 million

Police further noted that 66 suspects hiding abroad have been brought back to the island since the current government took office in 2024. 

Among them, 38 were wanted for organized crime and other offenses, while 28 were organized criminals subject to Interpol Red Notices. 

Since the government came into power, Interpol Red Notices were issued for the arrest of 110 suspects, including 55 specifically for organized criminals and drug traffickers.

A total of 42 suspects have been extradited to the island under Interpol Red Notices since 2023.

Currently, Sri Lanka Police has 236 active Red Notices in force, with 96 targeting organized criminals and 93 issued to facilitate the extradition of other suspects.