Largest heroin haul in South

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) seized 10 kilograms of heroin worth over Rs. 65 million at Hikkaduwa on Friday night on information received from the Liberian who was nabbed with 30 kilos of heroin in November.

This is the largest haul of heroin recovered from the Southern Province. Four suspects including a reputed businessman in the South had been rounded up with the narcotics recovered from a boutique in Hikkaduwa.

Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said the PNB managed to make the detention within 40 days after receiving vital information from the Liberian who was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport on November 5.

The foreigner who claimed to be a diplomatic official attempted to leave the country, carrying two 15 kilo packs of heroin packed in a briefcase.

The Customs, on suspicion, detained the foreigner and later handed him over to the PNB. SSP Rohana said with Friday’s detection, the police have paralysed the drug network in the country, leading to a severe shortage of heroin in Colombo at present.

The PNB also found two pistols, a Browning 9mm and a Mercury 22mm, and four cellular phones along with the suspects.

The suspects will be further detained for questioning with orders sought from the Courts.

A special police team is conducting investigations under the instructions of Director PNB, SSP Kamal Silva.