Over 2000 arrested in island-wide narcotic raids

Over 2000 drug traffickers and narcotic users have been arrested in raids conducted island-wide during the past 24 hours, police said. 

Police said 2296 suspects with stocks of narcotic substances confiscated. 

Over one kilogramme of heroin, 648g of crystal meth (Ice), 11 kilogrammes of cannabis, 253g of hashish, 46kg of mawa, 73g of ash, 90g of kush cannabis, 831g of thool( an illegal drug made with tobacco powder), 19,507 narcotic and psychotropic pills and 126,060 cannabis plants were taken into custody during search operations during the 24 hours. 

Out of the arrested suspects, 109 have been placed on detention orders, 184 have been referred for rehabilitation, and assets of 14 suspects are being investigated. Police said among the arrested were 218 suspects in the Police Narcotics Bureau’s IRC list. 

Police launched an island-wide operation on drug traffickers for a week’s period starting from Sunday. Police sources said over 6,000 suspects have been arrested during the past three days.

Meanwhile, over 18,000 pills valued Rs.2.1 million were confiscated in a special operation conducted by the Special Task Force’s Northern province operation team.  

Two suspects from Mannar who were involved in smuggling the drugs were arrested.