Manhunt to arrest notorious drug dealer

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

A manhunt has been launched to arrest a notorious drug dealer who knocked down a Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) sleuth who attempted to intercept a vehicle transporting a consignment of heroin at Badowita Dehiwela last Wednesday. The PNB officer who sustained critical injuries was rushed to a hospital and is said to be recovering, police told the "Sunday Observer" .

The incident occurred around 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday when several PNB sleuths on receipt of information lay in ambush to seize a haul of heroin that was to be delivered to a house at Badowita. On seeing the vehicle approaching the house, the PNB officer signalled it to stop. But the suspect realising it was the police knocked down the officer and sped before colliding with a bus.

The drug dealer then escaped leaving the vehicle, other PNB officers who rushed to the scene recovered a quantity of heroin. A woman suspect said to be an accomplice living at Badowita was later taken in for questioning in this connection. Meanwhile, the Dehiwela police have launched an investigation on the incident. The suspect has not arrested so far, police said.

The Central Anti Vice Striking Force (CAVSF) at Walana, Panadura last year arrested a notorious woman drug dealer (39) at Badowita who ran a heroin distribution centre at her home at Badowita. Police who raided her home found 100 packets of heroin in her possession. They questioned the woman and learnt that she makes around 700-800 packets a day for distribution in Panadura, Pinwatte, Mount Lavinia and in the Kalutara areas.

The woman who owned several three-wheeler taxis and motor-cycles, used the vehicles for heroin distribution. To avoid detection the three-wheeler taxi drivers usually carried patients as well.