Four suspects linked to a spate of vehicle and motorcycle thefts in the Western Province have been arrested with heroin in separate police operations, Sri Lanka Police said.
On July 7, acting on intelligence, a team from the Meegoda Police apprehended two suspects in the Meegoda area along with 8.6 grams of heroin and a car. Investigations revealed that the car had been reported stolen on July 4 from the Kadawatha Police Division.
Following the initial arrests, two more suspects were taken into custody in Hanwella with 10.45 grams of heroin. Police also recovered a three-wheeler and a knife believed to have been used in the robberies.
Further investigations uncovered that the arrested individuals were involved in stealing two motorcycles and two three-wheelers across police divisions including Avissawella, Wellampitiya, Nawagamuwa, and Kirulapone. Two of the stolen motorcycles have already been recovered, while one of the stolen three-wheelers was previously seized by Padukka Police.
Police say the suspects are believed to be operatives working under an organized criminal figure currently overseas. The stolen vehicles were allegedly handed over to this individual in exchange for money.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 39, were produced before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on July 8, and further investigations are underway. (Newswire)