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Raids net over 52,000 suspects for drug related offences this year
View(s):More than 52,000 people have been taken into custody so far this year, for drug related offences, in raids conducted by the Police, the Special Task Force, Customs and the Navy, latest statistics revealed. According to Police statistics, 52,157 drug related cases have been reported and 52,072 people arrested from Jan.1-Sept.11.
Topping the list was cannabis-related cases, with 32,673 cases being reported and 32,463 suspects arrested. Heroin related cases comes second. Some 19,434 cases have been reported and 19,237 suspects arrested for heroin-related offences. More than 4,008kg of cannabis and 290kg of heroin have been seized so far this year.
In addition, more than 220kg of cocaine, more than 3kg of hashish, 770mg of opium, 56.55gm of methamphetamine and 715gm of psychotropic substances have also been seized. About 27 foreigners from Pakistan, India, France, Italy, Latvia, Nigeria, the Maldives and Iran, have been arrested during this period.
Meanwhile, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) has established a working group to control drug trafficking through the post and Internet. At its first meeting, the group discussed the challenges, the current legislation and regulations, development of a mechanism to collect information relating to postal and internet drug trafficking, establishment of a scientific expert team to assist drug law enforcement activities under the NDDCB, budgetary allocation to strengthen intelligence collection and capacity building.
Senior officers of NDDCB, Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT), Sri Lanka Post, Customs, Police and Navy participated at the working group meeting.