New special operation unit for drug raids launched at Police Headquarters

More than 100 kilos of heroin incinerated at the Palavi cement factory in Puttalam recently

A special operation unit to conduct raids and locate toxic drugs has been established, the Police Headquarters said yesterday.

The special operation unit will cover the entire country and a 24-hour special operations room has been set up within the Police Headquarters.

Meanwhile more than100 kilos of confiscated drugs (heroin) with a street value of more than Rs. one billion had been incinerated at the Palavi cement factory in Puttalam this week.

The drugs were destroyed before Puttalam Magistrate Miheel Chiratha Saturusinghe. The destroyed drugs were held at the Colombo Courts premises after the suspects were prosecuted. The destroyed 107 kg of heroin was confiscated by the Police in 2019 after being illegally smuggled into the country through the sea route, and seven Iranian nationals were arrested.

The drugs were incinerated within a high temperature oven, under the supervision of the Police Special Task Force and Narcotics Bureau officials.

Moreover, the drugs were inspected by the officials from the Government Analyst’s department, prior to incineration, and were once again inspected by the Government analyst after they were incinerated.

As the drugs were being destroyed, Police officers and STF officers were deployed to maintain strict security with the premises.

Puttalam Senior Deputy Police Inspector General Kithsiri Jayalath and the Police Narcotic Board Director were present at the event.

The Police said the numbers for the divisional heads of the drug raid operation unit could be accessed through the website www. police.lk, while the Police Headquarters Special Operations Unit could be contacted through the number 071 859 8800 and the email ops.narcotics@police.gov.lk.