STF arrests couple who ran the network
Trafficked by underworld figure ‘Dubai Kapila’
A man was arrested while transporting 1 Kg of heroin in a vehicle by the Police Special Task Force, having received information by its Intelligence division during a special raid conducted in Temple road in Rukmalgama in Kottawa yesterday morning (2).
The raid was conducted by Nadeeka Silva, the OIC of the Police STF Intelligence division with a team of STF officials and the suspect named Wasana Samantha was arrested along with the 1 Kg heroin that was in his possession at the time along with the vehicle, Police Media said.
During the interrogation by the Police STF, the arrested 51-year-old suspect has revealed that he is carrying out the drug trafficking operation in the country on behalf of a notorious underworld figure called Isuru Sandaruwan alias “Dubai Kapila” who is alleged to be running the country’s main drug network for drug trafficker Mohommed Shiran Basik. Investigations carried out by the Police STF revealed that the suspect has rented a house at Galhena road near the Sri Jayewardenepura University about two years ago and has been conducting the drug trafficking operations from the said location.
Upon raiding the suspect’s rented house near the Jayewardenepura campus, STF men seized 13 kg of heroin, 6 kg of hash and 500 grams of cocaine. The STF team found Rs.1.5 million that was suspected to have been earned from selling narcotics, Police said.
The suspect’s home in Rukmalgama was also inspected by the Police STF team and they were able to seize 213 grams of cocaine from the place as well. The suspect’s 45-year-old wife was also arrested and charged with keeping narcotics in her possession.
The entire narcotics seized by the Police STF team are estimated to be worth nearly Rs. 400 million according to Police. The arrested suspect and his wife have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigations.
The large scale drug trafficking operation carried out by the suspect from his rented a house near the Jayewardenepura campus for two years has been revealed from information received from a suspect linked to the same drug trafficking network, who is employed as a clerk attached to the Education Ministry that was arrested during a special raid carried out by the Police STF on April 27 in Modera together with 1 kg and 60 grams of heroin and Rs. 4.9 million in cash.
Varuna Dayaratne
