Officers of the Negombo Division Criminal Investigation Unit have arrested a 38‑year‑old resident of Ragama with Rs. 2.3 million in cash, six bank cards, and a mobile phone, all suspected to be linked to drug trafficking.

According to the Police, the arrest was made following intelligence received by the unit.

Investigations revealed that the suspect is a close associate of an organized criminal gang member and drug trafficker currently overseas, and is believed to have been handling bank deposits of money earned through narcotics trade.

Police said the suspect was taken into custody during a special operation and handed over for further questioning.

The Negombo Division Criminal Investigation Unit has launched further investigations into the case. (Newswire)

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The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has arrested a 53‑year‑old woman from Colombo 14 in connection with purchasing property and assets using money earned through drug trafficking.

Police said the investigation began after the Inspector General of Police received information that a female drug trafficker residing at Ferguson Road, Colombo 14 had acquired property and assets with illicit funds. The complaint was referred to the Division on March 31, 2021.

Following submissions to court, the assets were seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with the High Courts of Negombo and Colombo extending the orders.

The assets identified include:

• A land of 8.66 perches in Ja‑Ela valued at Rs. 1.4 million
• Rs. 5.9 million deposited across six bank accounts
• Three shops in Colombo 14 valued at Rs. 22.5 million
• One shop in Colombo 14 valued at Rs. 7.5 million
• A three‑storey house with land in Colombo 14 valued at Rs. 20 million

Investigations revealed that these properties were acquired through drug trafficking proceeds, leading to the arrest of the suspect yesterday (13).

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division is continuing further inquiries into the case. (Newswire)

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Two luxury buses worth nearly Rs. 70 million, allegedly purchased using proceeds from drug trafficking, have been frozen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, while the current owner of one of the buses has also been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting money laundering, police said.

The Police Media Division said the Illegal Assets Investigation Division carried out the operation following investigations into assets believed to have been acquired using illegally earned money by a suspect involved in organised crime and large-scale drug trafficking.

Police said the main suspect, who had been hiding overseas before being arrested, is currently in remand custody.

Investigations have revealed that the suspect had allegedly purchased several properties under the names of close associates using illegally obtained funds, thereby committing offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The current owner of one of the buses, a 41-year-old resident of Embilipitiya, was arrested on May 7.

Further investigations are being conducted by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division. (Newswire/ File pic)

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Orders have been issued under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to prevent the sale, transfer, or disposal of several properties allegedly purchased with money earned through drug trafficking, following investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to the Police, the CID’s Illegal Assets Investigation Division said the case involves suspects from Madupitiya, Mahawila, who are accused of using proceeds from narcotics trafficking to acquire land and houses. 

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the assets include:

• A house under construction and adjoining land in Panadura Mahawila
• A 10.75‑perch plot at Panadura Cross Junction
• Another house under construction in Madupitiya, Panadura

The Police state that evidence indicates the suspects committed offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by attempting to launder illicit earnings through property purchases.

Two female suspects, aged 28 and 53, were arrested on March 13 and April 2, respectively, and produced before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court, where they were remanded. 

Two additional female suspects, relatives already in custody for another drug case, were also produced and remanded until May 13.

The CID added that further investigations are ongoing, with the properties now legally frozen to prevent any transfer or disposal while proceedings continue. (Newswire)

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