A man from Wattala was taken into custody by Police Narcotics Bureau officers following 210 grams off heroin in his possession. The detection was made near the Wattala Hunupitiya Nahena junction. The same suspect was arrested on 8th January 1999 with 1 kilogram and 42 grams of heroin in his possession.
After being granted bail by courts, he escaped to India. He was tried in absentia and was given a life sentence. The suspect was arrested in India for possessing 2 kilograms of heroin in India and was imprisoned for four years. After his release in 2007 the suspect had arrived in Sri Lanka. A detention order have been served on him to be investigated further. (JJ)