Tangalle drug bust: Three found dead

Police have launched a full scale investigation in Seenimodara, Tangalle, after finding over 635 kilograms of drugs and several firearms, along with three men dead under suspicious circumstances.

The discovery was made this morning at an abandoned house under renovation. Two bodies were found inside the house, while a third man, who was at the scene, suddenly fell ill and later died at Tangalle Hospital. Police say the deaths are being treated as suspicious, and post mortems are being carried out.

The incident came to light after the child of the third man told police that his father had been drinking with others at the house. When officers checked the location, they found the bodies and large stocks of narcotics.

According to police, the detections were made during three separate raids carried out in the area,

Investigators first recovered about 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’) inside the house and more packets in a small lorry. A larger lorry parked nearby, disguised as a watermelon transport vehicle, was later found to contain over 200 kilograms of drugs, including both Ice and heroin. The vehicle also had a hidden compartment carrying modern firearms and drugs. 

The investigation is being led by Southern Province SDIG Kithsiri Jayalath. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya also visited Tangalle to inspect the scene and review the ongoing probe.

Pix by Chandrasena Gamaga, Provincial Reporter -Ranna