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Biggest ever heroin haul: Sensational letter from PM’s office
The scandal over the detection of more than 250 kilograms of heroin in a container from Pakistan has taken a sensational turn with Customs detectives probing how there was a letter from the Prime Minister’s office, seeking a duty waiver for the consignment. A Customs official said the letter signed by a coordinating secretary to Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne had been sent before the container arrived in Colombo.
The coordinating secretary had written that he would be thankful “on behalf of the Hon. Prime Minister” if appropriate action was taken to grant a waiver of demurrage and Ports Authority charges to the container imported by a company in Maligawatte. The letter said it was the first container imported by the company which was just launching its business and could not afford to pay heavy duties.
Meanwhile, the Police Narcotics Bureau has taken over the investigations on detection of the heroin haul, which was described as one of the largest detections in South Asia. Government Analyst G.D.S. Gunatillake is also carrying out tests and said a report would be submitted to the Attorney General’s Department.
A Sri Lankan and a Pakistani have been arrested over this massive heroin haul. The shipper who fled the country was arrested in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir this week. He is due to be brought to Sri Lanka to face charges under an extradition treaty.