103KG OF HEROIN SEIZED WORTH RS. 1,248 MILLION

The seized jeep had been obtained from a cab service on a monthly rent of Rs. 150,000

Police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said this detection was the largest ever raid conducted by the PNB officials in the island since 1973 and also the largest raid in this year.

He said initial arrest was made at Prathibimbarama Mawatha in Kalubowila with 33.3 kgs of heroin.the main suspect Mohammad Zuhair Mohammad Mahir (29) and a driver, 40-year-old Chathura Jayashantha were arrested along with a Jeep and a three wheeler. The main suspect was also on bail over aiding and abetting on heroin case. Then the PNB officials raided a three-storied house at Subuthipura in Battaramulla and had recovered 70.5 kgs of heroin. It was revealed that the house has been using since January on a rent basis. The investigation also revealed that the main suspect who was a resident of Dehiwala was handled by a drug smuggler known as Dharmaraja Surendran alias Susei who was in remand custody since 2013. He was arrested in Bambalapitiya on charges of possession of 2.2 kgs of heroin and had been sentenced to death in 2017. SP Gunasekara said Susai has been maintaining telephone contact with Mohammad Mahir while in remand custody and police suspect Susei had been involved with smuggling of the seized consignment of heroin into the country on sea routes.

The seized jeep had been obtained from a cab service on a monthly rent of Rs. 150,000. The PNB officials recovered two gas cylinders, three mobile phones and two scales from the house. The arrested suspects would be produced in the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court seeking a detention order for seven days.

The PNB conducted the raid on directions of PNB Director SSP TCA Danapala and DIG Sajeewa Medawatta.

Initial arrest was made at Prathibimbarama Mawatha in Kalubowila with 33.3 kgs of heroin. The main suspect Mohammad Zuhair Mohammad Mahir (29) and a driver, 40-year-old Chathura Jayashantha were arrested along with a Jeep and a three wheeler