Deported drug kingpin arrested at BIA; Suspect nabbed with 5kg heroin in Welisara

The Police Narcotics Bureau has arrested a person transporting 5kg of heroin in a three-wheeler at Welisara, Ragama.

The suspect, a resident of Colombo 14, was arrested following an operation carried out last night and will be produced at the Mahara Magistrate’s Court today (26), the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile in a separate operation one of the chief suspects in large scale drug racket operating in the Southern Province has been taken into custody by the Police Narcotics Bureau.

Interpol had issued a “red notice” for the suspect, Wasantha Mendis, who was arrested in a foreign country and deported to Sri Lanka.

He was taken into custody at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake this morning, police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Police had uncovered information regarding the large scale drug network following investigations into the arrest of a Liberian national with 30 kilograms of heroin by Customs officers in 2013.

The police spokesman said that 9 suspects were arrested in connection with the illicit drug racket and upon interrogation they had revealed Wasantha Mendis as the mastermind behind the operation.

He said that the suspect will be produced at the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and further interrogated under detention orders.

(Source: Ada Derana)