Two suspects nabbed with Rs.2.5 m in cash

The two suspects taken into custody for their alleged involvement in a massive drug trafficking racket were produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate Rangajeewa Wimalasena last morning and detained for further questioning

They were reportedly on their way to meet a drug trafficker to purchase a stock of heroin when the Dehiwala police arrested them on Sunday (05) afternoon at Badovita in Dehiwala.

A senior police official said the two men who had frequented the Badovita area with their trishaw parked by the roadside were questioned on suspicion to find more than Rs.2 million in Rs.5000 notes in their possession. They made contradictory statements and failed to justify the possession of Rs. 2million. However under further questioning at the police station they disclosed their involvement in the racket.

Police said the king pin behind the racket was a resident of the Wellawatta area and steps were being taken to arrest him on information provided by the suspects under interrogation.

Police told court that the main suspect Rajitha Asantha (33) of Badovita had fixed deposits amounting to about Rs.30 million in banks and finance companies. The main suspect was a 33-year-old man from the Badovita area and his wife was a graduate from Galle. Their statements were recorded by the police. The magistrate ordered police to examine the main suspects bank accounts and to submit a report.

A police team under OIC Dehiwala police CI Senaka Ratwatta was conducting further investigations on the instructions of SSP Mount Lavinia Division, Ravindra Karavita.