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We need international support to make drug raids a success: Police
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
Recent raids across the country have resulted in the seizure of large stocks of weapons and ammunition, but Sri Lanka may need further international support to make it a success.
ASP Rohan Olugala of the Western North Crimes Division of Police, who played a key role in arresting underworld gang leaders in Indonesia, said that Sri Lanka’s battle against organised crime cannot be won without urgent international cooperation, advanced technology, comprehensive internal reforms, and the continued momentum of current operations until they reach the next level.
He said that the next step is to gain global support to dismantle this organised crime network. “Diplomatic action and international cooperation are essential in combating organised crime. Although current operations are mostly carried out independently, support from foreign countries would be extremely valuable,” he said.
ASP Rohan Olugala. Pic by Indika Handuwala
“The President is aware of the situation and is actively involved in international discussions. He is concerned that some Sri Lankan embassy officials are not fully prepared for their work and has said they will be reformed to better serve national interests in combating crime,” said Mr Olugala.
He added that early operations targeting low-level drug dealers and gunmen are insufficient for lasting peace. “The highest level of the problem is not domestic, it’s the international drug chain. It is also important to enact a separate law dedicated to organised crime, including tougher bail provisions and mandatory follow up systems for suspects released on bail. Right now, such mechanisms simply don’t exist,” he said.
He stated the importance of installing GPS systems on all fishing boats, as most drugs enter the country by sea and many criminals use these boats to escape.
Just as criminals have managed to access information about secret state missions, the Sri Lanka Police also receive sensitive intelligence. Authorities were alerted about two containers reportedly carrying chemicals and materials used to produce ‘Ice’ (methamphetamine) before they arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
The police narcotics and Customs narcotics divisions inspected the containers using their standard tool kits but detected nothing suspicious, and the containers were subsequently cleared and released by Customs.
However, until the materials were discovered on Sampath Manamperi’s land and confirmed through laboratory testing, Customs and police narcotics divisions had been unable to identify them as chemicals used for producing Ice when they were first released from the airport. This delay has raised serious concerns within the community.
Sri Lanka Customs Director and Media Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa stated, “Based on prior information, a joint examination was conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Customs Narcotics Division. Every bag was opened and checked, and the process was video recorded.”
“During the examination, test kits were used, but they did not react to the contents of the containers. The Police Narcotics Bureau provided written confirmation, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, stating they had no objection to releasing the containers. The Customs Narcotics unit also agreed with this decision.”
Government Analyst Sandya Rajapakse speaking about the types of containers sent for analysis by Sri Lanka Customs, explained that it is not routine for all samples from Customs to be sent to their lab; testing is carried out only in certain cases, mostly with food items and alcohol. She confirmed that no samples from these containers were sent to the Government Analyst’s Department for testing at the time they were cleared by Customs.
In the meantime, Islandwide operations to combat illegal drugs, criminal activity, firearms, and organised criminal groups are carried out daily across Sri Lanka.
The special sweep on October 3, involved personnel from the Sri Lanka Police, the Police Special Task Force (STF), and the Tri-Forces, with a total of 6,644 personnel deployed throughout the day.
The operations produced significant results. 971 individuals were arrested in connection with narcotics, 449 persons were taken into custody as warrant defaulters, and 21 individuals linked to various crimes were also apprehended.
Authorities also conducted extensive inspections during the operations. 27,727 individuals were checked, 10,900 vehicles were inspected, and 8,385 motorcycles were examined.
Officials noted that the daily operations apprehended a large number of people connected to narcotics and other criminal activities, emphasising that these efforts play a key role in maintaining law and order.
| CID probes intel leak on secret Indonesian op | |
| The security breach that occurred during the impending arrest of Sri Lankan underworld criminals living in Indonesia is still under investigation. The government has ordered a high-level investigation after crucial top-secret information about the arrests of major underworld figures was leaked to the suspects themselves, raising serious concerns about corruption within state institutions. When asked, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Minura Senarath, Acting Director of the Police Media Division, said the information could have been leaked either from police or from other state bodies involved in processing the documents related to the foreign tour. |
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