A 25‑year‑old resident of Digana has been arrested by Teldeniya Police with narcotics and a foreign‑made live hand grenade, according to the Police.

The Police said a raid was conducted in the Digana area on Tuesday evening based on intelligence received. 

Officers recovered 5,155 milligrams of ICE narcotics and Rs. 63,000 suspected to have been earned through drug trafficking. The suspect was taken into custody and detained for further investigations.

Following information revealed during questioning, investigators searched the suspect’s residence and discovered a foreign‑made live hand grenade, an additional 1,250 milligrams of ICE, two swords, and a spear knife concealed inside the house.

The Teldeniya Police is conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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A 25‑year‑old resident of Attidiya has been arrested in connection with two violent crimes, an attempted murder in Dehiwala and a firearm intimidation incident in Mount Lavinia, following a raid by the Western Province Southern Division Crimes Investigation Unit.

The Police said that on July 19, two unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire at a cemetery in Dehiwala in an attempt to kill a man. In a separate incident in Mount Lavinia, a firearm was aimed to threaten and assault a victim. 

Investigations linked the motorcycle rider involved in both crimes to an organized criminal currently overseas.

Acting on intelligence, officers arrested the suspect last morning (26) in Delkanda, Mirihana Police division. He was found in possession of 7.200 grams of ICE narcotics. 

During questioning, Police recovered three mobile phones used in the crimes and Rs. 55,000 , part of Rs. 200,000 allegedly paid to him for the operations.

The Western Province Southern Division Crimes Investigation Unit is conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police say a major drug haul was intercepted on the Southern Expressway, following a special operation by the Expressway Division.

According to the Police, officers stopped a car traveling towards Colombo from the Aparekka interchange in the morning and recovered two parcels containing 2.350 kilos of crystal methamphetamine (ICE).

Two suspects, aged 24 and 32, were arrested. Investigations revealed the narcotics were being transported to the Wanathamulla area. 

Police also seized Rs. 97,000 found in the possession of one suspect, an employee of the Colombo Municipal Council, believed to be linked to the trafficking operation.

The suspects and the seized drugs have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation. 

The Police further said that the Expressway Division conducts special search operations covering all 31 interchanges to intercept illegal activities. 

The public has been urged to extend full cooperation to officers during vehicle inspections to ensure effective enforcement. (Newswire)

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A major narcotics bust in the Dompe area has led to the arrest of a suspect in possession of more than 8 kilos of crystal methamphetamine (ICE).

According to reports, the raid was carried out by the Special Task Force (STF), during which officers also recovered 05 sharp weapons, 03 landmines, and 20 rounds of live ammunition. 

Initial estimates show that the seized narcotics carry a street value of approximately Rs. 120 million.

Further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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The US Senate has voted to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with an additional $70 billion (roughly €60 billion) for immigration enforcement.

The bill provides three years of funding for the US Border Patrol and what under President Donald Trump became the largest and most heavily funded federal law enforcement agency in US history, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more commonly known by its acronym: ICE.

The expansion of ICE’s powers and personnel has been a source of friction and public protest throughout Trump’s second term.

What happened in the Senate?

Senators voted 52-47 in favor the bill, with no support from the Democrats. One Republican opposed it.

The funding provided by ‌the bill ​would help pay for Trump’s controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years.

The bill follows a partial shutdown of the DHS earlier this year, when Democrats refused to support new money for immigration enforcement without restrictions on tactics such as raids in sensitive locations and the use of masks by officers.

Republicans rejected those demands, instead choosing to fund ICE and Border Patrol through the fast-track “budget reconciliation” process, which allows them to bypass Democratic opposition if they can keep their own members united.

The vote only took place in the early hours of Friday morning because Thursday’s session ran long with a series of secondary debates and disputes.

Which unrelated issues also featured in the lengthy Senate debate?

Dissatisfaction with the $1.8 billion so-called “anti-weaponization” fund that could compensate Trump’s allies for allgeations the government mistreated them played a larger part in the marathon session.

Senate Republican Leader John Thune said the fund was a “settled issue,” citing Attorney General Todd Blanche’s testimony in Congress saying that the Department of Justice would not move forward with it.

However, given Trump telling reporters on Wednesday, “I love ​it. I think it’s so important,” some Senators were not satisfied that it had been ditched.

Thune tried to argue the matter was resolved.

“I find it very hard to believe that they’re going to submit somebody who sat in front of a committee in ​the House and made definitive statements about this and then somehow all of a sudden turn around and go back on them,” Thune told reporters. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

A rival bill from Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to kill the anti-weaponization fund entirely won support from a trio of Republicans — Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan — and brought the session to a largely procedural halt for several hours.

The debate also featured discussions on proposals to prohibit the use of federal funds and even private donations to build the lavish White House ballroom Trump often champions, with critics saying it is over budget and behind schedule.

With Trump’s approval ratings wobbling amid the war in Iran, and midterm elections nearing in November, when one third of Senators will face elections, several of the president’s policies have prompted criticism from within Republic ranks.

These include but are not limited to the seemingly sidelined anti-weaponization fund, the ballroom and naming political ally Bill Pulte as US intelligence chief, despite his background in business and real estate.

What happens next?

The bill still needs to clear the lower chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives.

Republicans hope this vote can be finalized early next week. The bill would then return to the White House for Trump’s signature. (DW)

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The Baduraliya Police have uncovered a large stock of ICE narcotics during a raid in the Thumbagalla Kanda area, acting on a tip‑off. 

The Police said the operation led to the recovery of 3.362 kilos of ICE narcotics.

However, the individuals responsible for the narcotics stock have not yet been apprehended. 

Authorities confirmed that further investigations are underway to trace and arrest the suspects. (Newswire)

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A 45-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in Colombo with more than 150 grams of ICE drugs police said.

Officers from the Colombo Division Crime Branch conducted a raid on Feb. 10 in the Ferguson Road area within the Grandpass Police Division following a tip-off.

Police said the suspect, a resident of Colombo 15, was taken into custody with 150 grams and 600 milligrams of ICE in his possession.

Further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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A man has been arrested in the Nittambuwa area by officers of the Police Special Task Force (STF) with more than 60 kilograms of ICE narcotics, valued at over Rs. 900 million.

According to information received by the Gonahena STF camp, the raid was carried out in the Araliya Road, Pinnagolla Watta area of Nittambuwa, where the narcotics were discovered.

During the operation, a suspect transporting 61.83 kilos of ICE in a three‑wheeler was taken into custody.

Investigations revealed that the suspect is closely associated with organized criminals and drug traffickers, including “Dubai Varuna” and Mohamed Siddiq, who are currently overseas, as well as Dilindu Sanjeewa alias “Lena,” who is currently in prison. (Newswire)

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A boat seized by the Navy and brought to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour yesterday contained nearly 160 kilograms of ‘ICE’ narcotics valued at over Rs. 2 billion, Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) said. 

Addressing the media, the Deputy Minister of Defence, said that, in addition, more than 21 kilograms of heroin were also found on board.

The multi‑day fishing vessel, suspected of transporting narcotics in the deep seas south of Sri Lanka, was seized by the Navy and brought to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour, along with five suspects, for further investigations.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the vessel had originally departed from the Gandara area for fishing activities.

The drugs discovered on the vessel, together with the suspects, have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation. (Newswire)

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A 39‑year‑old resident of Karandeniya was arrested yesterday (21) after Police found 8.58 kilos of ‘ICE’ narcotics in his possession.

According to the Police, the suspect was arrested following a raid carried out by officers of the Elpitiya Division Crime Investigation Unit.

The suspect was taken to the Karandeniya Police Station after being arrested. 

He is scheduled to be produced before the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court today (22). (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy says over 376 kilos of narcotics were seized from the six-crew vessel that was intercepted off the southern coast. 

According to the Navy, the consignment consisted of over 115 kilos of heroin, concealed in 05 sacks containing 100 packets, and over 261 kilos of ‘ICE’ narcotics in 13 sacks with 200 packets.

The stock is valued at an estimated Rs. 4 billion.

The Navy further stated that they also seized one pistol, two magazines, one revolver, and one Iridium satellite phone from the boat.

The 06 Sri Lankan fishermen and the boat were brought to Tangalle last evening, after being intercepted by the Navy.

Following the seizure, investigations also led to the arrest of a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) local government candidate from Pannala in connection with the drug operation. (Newswire)

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A team of officers from the Western North Unit of the Police Special Task Force has arrested a person in possession of 52.6g of ‘ICE’ in a raid conducted in the Kendaliyaddapaluwa area of Ragama on Tuesday (11).

According to the Police, the suspect, who is a 34-year-old resident of the same area, has been handed over to the Ragama Police for further investigations.

In a separate incident, officers from the Puwarasankulam camp of the Police Special Task Force conducted a liquor raid in the Iraniiluppukulam area of the Madu Police Division, Mannar, at midnight yesterday.

As a result, a 25-year-old suspect from the same area was arrested along with 25l of illegal liquor, 80l of Goda and a copper pot, along with equipment used for the production of liquor. He has been handed over to the Madu Police.

The Police also arrested a suspect with 160 litres of Goda in a raid conducted by the Hali Ela camp of the Police Special Task Force in the Dickwella area yesterday. 

The 40-year-old suspect, a resident of the same area, has been handed over to the Hali Ela police station. (Newswire)

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Six individuals have been arrested in the Kirinda area in connection with a large-scale drug bust, the Police confirmed.

Acting on a tip-off, the operation was carried out jointly by the Western Province North Crimes Division and a Southern Province Police team.

It is reported that authorities have seized over 300 kilograms of narcotics, including ‘ICE’, during the raid. (Newswire)

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Four suspects have been arrested with a large haul of heroin and ICE narcotics in the Homagama area.

According to the Police, 1.5 kilos of heroin and over 688g of ‘ICE’ were recovered from a house in Homagama. 

The suspects, three men and a woman, were arrested by the Kelaniya Police Crimes Investigation Unit. 

Further investigations are underway into the incident. (Newswire)

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A resident of Mannar has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela, following a conviction for trafficking ‘ICE’ narcotics.

The sentence was handed down to a 21-year-old youth residing in the Mannar area.

The accused was arrested by police near the Eluthoor Junction in Mannar on November 3, 2022, while transporting the narcotic substance.

Subsequently, the Attorney General filed charges against the accused under the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance No. 1 of 2008.

Delivering the verdict after the trial, the High Court Judge stated that the charges brought against the accused had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, the judge declared that the sentence of imprisonment was being imposed on the accused. (Newswire)

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Tech company Apple removed ICEBlock — the most popular app to track the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency — and similar apps from its App Store, it said on Thursday after it was contacted by US President Donald Trump’s administration.

The ICEBlock app alerts users to ICE agents in the area, allowing them to evacuate migrants who may be arrested.

Curtailing illegal immigration has been one of the central domestic policies in Trump’s second term at the White House. However, reports suggest that ICE agents, often in masks using unmarked vans, have also detained permanent US residents, visa holders and those involved in pro-Palestinian advocacy.

‘Safety risks’

US broadcast channel Fox Business reported on the app’s removal and cited US Attorney General Pam Bondi saying the Justice Department had contacted Apple to pull the app from the platform.

The US Justice Department and Trump’s administration have said the apps endanger officers by increasing the risk of assault on ICE agents.

“ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed,” Bondi said in her statement to Fox Business.

The criticism has increased after a shooting at an ICE facility in Texas in September killed two detainees and injured another.

Officials said the shooter was targeting ICE agents and was using similar apps in the days leading up to the attack.

“Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store,” Apple said in an emailed statement. (DW)

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The haul of drugs, suspected to be narcotics and seized from Weligama recently, has been confirmed to be the narcotic ‘Mephedrone’.

DIG of the Southern Province, Kithsiri Jayalath, said the drug was confirmed by the Government Analyst.

He further said that this is the first instance of this drug being found in Sri Lanka. 

DIG Kithsiri Jayalath also noted that the Government Analyst’s report reveals that Mephedrone is more dangerous than other narcotic drugs such as ‘ICE’.

The drug was found after the Police raided a location in the Weligama area suspected to have been used for the production of ‘ICE’ narcotics.

An 18-year-old Maltese national was arrested during the raid conducted last week (21).

Officers also seized materials believed to have been used in the manufacture of ‘ICE’. (Newswire)

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The Western Province North Crimes Division informed the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today (26) that the Acting Minister of Defence has granted departmental approval to detain and interrogate Sampath Manamperi for a period of 90 days.

Former local government member Sampath Manamperi is currently in remand custody in connection with an incident involving two containers suspected to contain chemicals used in the production of the drug “ICE”.

On 17th September, Sampath Manamperi surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court after being wanted in connection with the chemicals that were found in Middeniya. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police say approximately 200 kilos of narcotics, including Crystal Methamphetamine (ICE) and heroin, have been found in a lorry in Tangalle. 

According to the Police, the narcotics were found in the lorry that was parked near a house in Seenimodara in Tangalle, from which two bodies were recovered earlier today. 

The Police stated that an individual who had been hospitalised due to alleged poisoning had died while receiving treatment, after which his child had revealed that he had been drinking with other individuals in a house in Seenimodara.

Upon inspection, the Police had found two more bodies in the house, alongside a stock of narcotics.

Preliminary investigations into the incident reveal that the stock of narcotics found near the bodies is suspected to be Crystal Methamphetamine (ICE). 

According to the Police, further investigations are ongoing. (Newswire)

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Three individuals have died under suspicious circumstances inside a house in Tangalle, where a stock of ICE narcotics had been found.

Speaking to Newswire, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said two individuals were found dead alongside the stock of ICE recovered in Seenimodara in Tangalle. 

He said another person had died after being admitted to the hospital. 

The Police Spokesman said investigations have been launched into the suspicious deaths. (Newswire)

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