A major stock of narcotics seized during Police raids was destroyed today (27) under the supervision of judicial authorities.

The haul of narcotics was destroyed following the conclusion of related court proceedings.

The destruction took place in the presence of Balapitiya Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana and Halawatha Magistrate Harsha D. Silva, after cases connected to the seizures had been fully adjudicated in their respective courts.

It is reported that nearly 302 kilos of narcotics seized in raids by the Police Narcotics Bureau are being destroyed at the Lactowatta incinerator in Vanathavilluwa in Puttalam. (Newswire)

Narcotics seized during raids by the Police Narcotics Bureau were destroyed today after the conclusion of court proceedings at the Balapitiya and Chilaw courts, in the presence of Magistrates Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana and Harsha D. Silva. pic.twitter.com/MJ9gfeZzGk

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) April 27, 2026

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Nearly 302 kilos of narcotics seized in raids by the Police Narcotics Bureau are scheduled to be destroyed today, following the conclusion of related court proceedings.

The Balapitiya and Chilaw Magistrates’ Courts recently finalized cases connected to the raids, clearing the way for the disposal of the narcotics.

The haul includes 22.888 kilos of heroin, 33.172 kilos of Kerala cannabis, and 247.940 kilos of cannabis.

Earlier this morning, the Police Narcotics Disposal Division began transporting the stockpile stored at the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court complex to the Lactowatta incinerator in Vanathavilluwa in Puttalam. (Newswire)

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A 66‑year‑old woman from Mannar has been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for allegedly aiding and abetting the disposal of gold jewellery acquired through narcotics trafficking.

Police said the suspect, the mother of the wife of a man accused of smuggling drugs from South India between 2019 and 2023, was taken into custody on Sunday (15).

According to the Police, a person who trafficked narcotics from South India to Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2023 is alleged to have earned money and acquired a two‑storey house, a house with five shops, a motor vehicle, and nearly 360 sovereigns of gold jewellery. It is further alleged that the gold items were pawned and later sold. Based on this complaint, the Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division began an inquiry.

After the suspect was taken into custody, cases were filed in the Mannar High Court regarding the above two houses and the motor vehicle, and orders were obtained to make them inactive. Those orders have been confirmed and extended.

During the extended investigation into the gold items, it was revealed that the suspect’s wife’s mother had pawned the gold at several financial institutions and later sold it to several jewellery shops in the Mannar area.

Accordingly, knowing that the gold items were acquired through illegal activities, pawning and selling them amounts to offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. 

In connection with aiding and abetting these offences, the suspect’s wife’s mother was arrested in Mannar last evening.

The suspect is a 66‑year‑old resident of Mannar. Further investigations are being conducted by the Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division. (Newswire)

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A fishing vessel carrying six Sri Lankan fishermen has been detained on suspicion of transporting narcotics.

The arrest took place off the southern maritime border of Sri Lanka, during a joint operation conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Sri Lanka Navy.

Reports indicate that approximately 15 parcels suspected to contain narcotics were found onboard.

The fishermen and the vessel are scheduled to be brought to the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour this afternoon (20) for further investigation. (Newswire)

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A large sack containing narcotics has been discovered by the Police along the Bentota coastal area.

It is reported that approximately 20 to 25 kilograms of narcotics are suspected to be inside the sack.

Reports indicate that the parcel had washed ashore, and it was found by the Police at the Bentota beach this morning. (Newswire)

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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into allegations that high-ranking former narcotics officers were involved in drug trafficking operations, including the transport of narcotics.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Police Media Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler confirmed that the inquiry focuses on the former Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau. The official has been transferred to facilitate an impartial investigation, he added.

“The Inspector General of Police has issued clear instructions that any individual found to be involved in wrongdoing will be subject to investigation, regardless of rank or position,” ASP Wootler said.

The probe follows recent discoveries of large quantities of methamphetamine (ICE) and hashish trafficked by sea.

The journalists questioned the Police Spokesperson citing social media reports where an individual accuses a former senior narcotics officials of aiding in the transport of these illicit substances. (Newswire)

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A South African national who was arrested and remanded over the possession of narcotics at the Katunayake Airport in 2021 has been sentenced to life imprisonment. 

The verdict was issued by the Negombo High Court today after the accused had pleaded guilty to three charges. 

Per an indictment filed by the Attorney General, the accused is charged with possession, trafficking, and importing a dangerous drug.

As such, Negombo High Court Judge Kavindra Nanayakara sentenced the accused to life imprisonment, ordering the three sentences to run concurrently. (Newswire)

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Two suspects have been arrested at the Katunayake Airport for the possession of narcotics and a stock of imported cigarettes.

A 39-year-old man from Colombo was arrested with 1.48 grams of Kush Cannabis, 2.44 grams of ICE, and 190mg of heroin last night. 

The man was arrested during a raid conducted by officials of the Customs Narcotics Control Unit based on information from the Police Narcotics officials at the airport. 

He has been identified as a 39-year-old resident of Colombo 14. 

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man has been arrested with 22 cartons of imported cigarettes at the Katunayake Airport this morning.

He was detected based on information received by Police Narcotics Officials at the airport. 

The suspect is a 42-year-old resident of Thalavila. (Newswire)

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Two Sri Lankan-flagged fishing vessels were intercepted by Indian authorities in the Arabian Sea while smuggling narcotics, resulting in the seizure of approximately 500kg of crystal meth.

Based on information received from the Sri Lankan Navy regarding probable narcotics smuggling by Sri Lankan flagged fishing vessels, the Indian Navy responded swiftly through a coordinated operation to localise and intercept the boats, the Indian Navy said. 

Extensive surveillance was undertaken by Indian Naval Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft, based on inputs from the Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region), Gurugram, and an Indian Naval ship was deployed to augment efforts. 

Two boats were identified based on continuous inputs from the Sri Lankan Navy and aerial surveillance by IN aircraft. Subsequently, in a closely coordinated operation between the ship and the aerial assets, both boats were boarded by ship’s boarding team on 24 and 25 Nov 24, leading to the seizure of approximately 500 kg of narcotics (Crystal Meth). One additional IN ship was also tasked to augment the force level for conduct of anti-narcotics operations. 

 The two boats, along with crew and seized narcotics, are being handed over to Sri Lankan authorities for further legal action. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has seized 200 kilos of narcotics from a Sri Lankan Multiday Fishing trawler. 

Sri Lanka Navy Media Director Captain Gayan Wickramasooriya told Newswire that the seized narcotics are suspected to be heroin, but are yet to be confirmed.

He further said that six (06) suspects were arrested along with the trawler and narcotics during a raid conducted this morning.

Captain Gayan Wickramasooriya added that the arrest was made in the Western Sea off the coast of Colombo. (Newswire)

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A stock of ‘ICE’ (Methamphetamine) worth around Rs. 100 million which had been couriered to Sri Lanka has been seized by the Anti-Narcotics Unit of Sri Lanka Customs. 

The stock of narcotics concealed in a pulley and couriered from Guatemala was seized from a warehouse in Seeduwa.

The narcotic had been sent to a 25-year-old farmer from Polonnaruwa who had arrived to collect it and was found when the pulley had been inspected for clearance.

The  Anti-Narcotics Unit had found 3.101 kilos of ‘ICE’ concealed in the pulley. 

The arrested youth has been handed over to the Katunayake Airport Police for further investigations. (Newswire)

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Over 1400 suspects have been apprehended during the islandwide special operation ‘Yukthiya’ conducted in the last 24 hours ending at 12.30 am today.

The Ministry of Public Security said the Police Special Task Force (STF) had nabbed 1422 suspects with several types of narcotics.

They had seized 447 grams of heroin, 827 grams of ICE, 5 kilos of Cannabis, and 3574 narcotic pills.

According to the Police Media Unit, 13,800 raids were conducted between 17-23 December.

During the special raids, 13,139 male suspects and 524 female suspects were apprehended with various types of narcotics. 

Among the arrested suspects, 720 have been detained for questioning, while 197 have been directed for rehabilitation.

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Police has also arrested 174 suspects with illegally acquired properties such as houses and vehicles. (NewsWire)

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A local multiday fishing trawler carrying a large consignment of narcotics has been seized off the Southern Coast.

The Sri Lanka Navy stated that the trawler with 06 suspects was seized during a coordinated operation conducted with the State Intelligence Service.

The apprehension was made by SLNS Vijayabahu in the high seas South of Sri Lanka.

The Navy added that the trawler and suspects are expected to be brought to the Colombo Port today (May 18) for legal action. (NewsWire)

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A doctor attached to the Badulla Hospital has been arrested with 145 capsules which are suspected to be narcotics.

The Police stated that the doctor was arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF)  yesterday (14).

The doctor was arrested on information that he had been selling narcotic capsules to school children and youths via his private medical practice in the Mylagastenna area in Badulla.

The Badulla Police has taken into custody the stock of capsules which are suspected to be narcotics as well as the doctor’s vehicle.

The Police stated that the suspect will be produced before the Badulla Magistrate’s Court today (15). (NewsWire)

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