Police have arrested a 47‑year‑old resident of Palugolla in connection with the circulation of video footage showing officers being obstructed during a narcotics arrest in the Kotawehera Division.
According to the Police, the suspect was taken into custody last afternoon (23) by a team from the Nikaweratiya Police, following investigations that identified five individuals involved in recording and disseminating the footage.
The incident traces back to May 16, when the Kotawehera Police raided the Palugolla area and arrested two suspects, aged 19 and 28, with small quantities of ICE narcotics.
The suspects, residents of Mahauswewa, were produced before the Nikaweratiya Magistrate’s Court on May 17, released on bail, and later fined Rs. 5,000 each after pleading guilty on May 21.
During their transport to the Police station, five residents allegedly formed an unlawful assembly, obstructed officers, used criminal force, and recorded the confrontation.
The footage was later circulated on social media, inaccurately linked to a separate incident in the Deraniyagala Police Division.
The Police said further investigations are underway to apprehend the remaining four suspects involved in the obstruction and video circulation. (Newswire)