PNB uncover illegal drug racket in Colombo nightspots

By Maneshka Borham

In a drug raid carried out at a nightclub in Colombo a basketball coach of a popular school in Colombo along with four other individuals and two women believed to be nightclub dancers who attempted to purchase drugs from suspects involved in an illegal drug racket were nabbed. “They were later released after verifying that they were merely drug addicts” a Police source said.

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) this week uncovered an illegal drug racket carried out at various nightlife locations in Colombo by a group of individuals.

On Thursday the PNB nabbed three individuals engaged in selling drugs targetting the social elite of Colombo in the city’s nightclubs and bars.

Officers confiscated 49 pills of Ecstasy and 200 blotters containing LSD in the raid. The value of the confiscated drugs is estimated to be around Rs 600, 000.

According to the police, the organized racket was being conducted by a Manager of a renowned clothing manufacturing company who is alleged to be a close confidante of an ex-politician and another individual.

Meanwhile, the apprehended suspects said they had sold one pill of Ecstasy at Rupees 3,500 while one LSD blotter was sold for Rs 2,500 police said.

The PNB is currently carrying out a special islandwide operation to eradicate the drug menace under the orders of Police Chief IGP Pujith Jayasundara. “This raid was a result of this operation” a Police source said adding that the islandwide operation is being carried out successfully at present.