Drug kingpin 'Kudu Siddeek' released on bail

Drug kingpin Mohamed Siddeek alias 'Kudu Siddeek' who is reported to have earned Rs 52 million through the drug trade and was imprisoned for over three and a half years, has been released on bail.

High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne  released Siddeek on a monetary bail of Rs 1 million along with a surety bail of Rs 5 million with two sureties. His passport was impounded.

Court ordered the prisoner to be present before the CID twice a month.

President's Counsel U.R. De Silva, who appeared on behalf of the accused had requested court to release his client on bail.

Having taken the request into consideration it was decided to grant a conditional bail to the prisoner who has been in prison for over three and a half years after being found guilty of violating the money laundering act.

Senior lawyer Shamindra Wickrama appearing on behalf of the Attorney General who was named as a respondent in the bail application had told court that the suspect was convicted as a heroin dealer and therefore could not be released.