Information relating to seven actresses and models and nine politicians has been uncovered from mobile phones seized from alleged drug trafficker and organized crime suspect Kehelbaddara Padme, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed court.
The CID told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that photographs and records of telephone conversations involving nine politicians had been found during the examination of the suspect’s phones, while information relating to seven actresses and models had also surfaced.
Investigators said further inquiries are underway into the findings. The disclosure does not by itself indicate that the individuals identified had committed any offence.
According to the CID, eight mobile phones were recovered from the suspect following his arrest. Although data on the devices had been deleted, investigators were able to recover it.
The recovered material included details of 8,841 telephone calls, more than 326,000 photographs, 1,101 audio recordings and 5,039 videos, the CID told court.
Investigators also identified information relating to 20 suspected major drug traffickers, which has been referred to the Police Narcotics Bureau.
Telephone numbers belonging to 13 prison officers were also allegedly found on the devices, and the Commissioner General of Prisons has been informed.
The CID further told court that photographs of 19 passports belonging to individuals allegedly linked to various criminal activities had been discovered, while investigators are examining 17 bank accounts.
According to investigators, Kehelbaddara Padme had travelled to 13 countries on around 15 occasions since leaving Sri Lanka legally in May 2021. The countries included the UAE, Indonesia, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos.
Kehelbaddara Padme was arrested in Indonesia and brought back to Sri Lanka following an international operation. He had subsequently been held under detention orders for questioning.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that he be remanded until September 3. (Newswire)