A Sri Lankan residing in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has been found as the source of the large haul of heroin that was seized off the coast of Weligama yesterday.
The Police said nearly 219.2 Kg of heroin had been seized off the coast of Weligama in Galle last morning.
Eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the smuggling of narcotics. Six suspects are reported to have been on the main boat, while three were on a smaller boat, and two were on land to receive the package.
The Police said the suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy, Coast Guard, and the Anti-Narcotic Unit.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the stock of heroin had been dispatched from Iran and Pakistan to Sri Lanka.
The Police said the suspects will be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, while a detention order will be sought to interrogate them for 14-days.
Further investigations are also underway into the suspect from Dubai who had operated the smuggling of the large haul of narcotics to Sri Lanka.
They added that Weligama has been identified as a hub for the distribution of narcotics, due to which constant raids will be conducted in and around the area. (NewsWire)