PNB detects another heroin haul 

By Madura Ranwala-May 12, 2015

Acting on a tip-off the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) on Sunday night and yesterday took into custody 8.5 kilos of heroin with a street value of more than Rs. 80 million.

Eight parcels containing over one kilo of heroin each had been smuggled into the country by sea from India at Toduwawa in the Marawila police area. The mastermind of the drug trafficking who is said to be having a number of heroin cases in Indian and Sri Lankan courts, has been identified and he is yet to be arrested.

Along with the drug haul, two suspects were arrested and they are being grilled by the PNB on a seven-day detention order.

Addressing the media at the Police Headquarters, Police Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ruwan Gunasekara, said yesterday that the police had been able to recover the stock of heroin before it was distributed due to public assistance.

 The drug haul was found hidden inside some wild bushes by the beach.

Explaining the raid ASP Gunasekara said that the suspects had smuggled the narcotics in boats from India, transferred it to Sri Lankan vessels on the high seas and thereafter used a yacht to bring it ashore.

 "The mastermind of the operation is wanted by both India and Sri Lanka to stand trial," he said.

 The ASP said that the police had detected over 20 kilos of heroin so far this year amounting to over Rs. 200 million and prosecuted more than 9,000 suspects.

 About 3,063 kilos of cannabis had also been taken into custody along with18,767 persons this year alone, he said.

 The heroin price had increased dramatically due to scarcity, ASP Gunasekara said.