News
Infamous haul of ‘ice’ chemicals a red herring to cover drug traffickers’ tracks
View(s):By Ishu Bandra
Tests carried out by the Government Analyst’s Department (GA) and the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) on samples taken from two sites in Kandana and Middeniya suspected to contain chemicals used for the production of methamphetamine (Ice) have found little or no trace of illicit substances.
While the samples taken from Kandana did not contain any precursor chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine (ICE) or any other drug-related substances, samples taken from Middeniya showed traces of the final product methamphetamine (Ice) mixed with the talc stones in very small quantities, authoritative sources said.
Narcotics Unit of Sri Lanka Customs investigates two suspicious containers
The Government Analyst, Sandya Kumudini Rajapakse, told the Sunday Times: “We tested 20 samples, and in 17 of them, we traced methamphetamine (ICE), although in very small and almost immeasurable quantities. However, if we could measure the entire substance, it could amount to a significant quantity. Importantly, it was ICE and not an ordinary chemical,”
She added that the GA laboratory is approved by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and equipped with the proper machines and the expertise. “The samples we received from Kandana were almost empty, and the Middeniya sample contained only residue of methamphetamine. We suspect that these were leftover traces after production was carried out elsewhere.”
The other laboratory report was submitted by the NDDCB and they also confirmed the amount of Methapitamine (Ice) found by the GA in the Middeniya substance and not any found from the substance in Kandana raid.
Media Spokesman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Chamara Karunarathne told the Sunday Times their lab determined that the substance found in Middeniya was a drug, not a chemical intended for production. The quantity found was a small quantity and the testing focused on identifying the presence of Ice rather than measuring a specific quantitative amount.
Mr. Karunarathne said that much of the media coverage about the drugs was misleading and such sensational reporting can harm society by giving unnecessary attention to drugs like ICE, especially on children.
Initially, the two shipping containers were declared as semi-processed talc rocks but were flagged as suspicious for possibly containing drugs, specifically, precursor chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine (ice).
The two 20-foot containers, carrying a combined total of about 49,000 kilograms of semi-processed talc rocks and arriving from Bandar Abbas, Iran, were identified as suspicious by an American intelligence agency.
However, after a thorough investigation, both containers were released by the Customs Narcotics Division, Sri Lanka Customs (CND) and the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), following confirmation that they contained no harmful drugs or illegal substances. 
However, based on the revelations made by the arrested underworld figures including “Backhoe Saman” and “Kehelbaddara Padme,” who had been deported from Indonesia and were previously listed under Interpol Red Notices, police investigations were launched.
These investigations uncovered that the two containers of talc powder, which had already been released, were allegedly linked to individuals involved in a drug manufacturing operation. Later, in September, chemical stocks connected to the same network were discovered during police raids in Middeniya, Kandana, and another location in Netolpitiya. These discoveries were made following information obtained through the interrogation of the arrested suspects.
This also prompted the launch of a comprehensive investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into the procedural lapses that allowed the containers to be cleared, with top officials from the police and customs being questioned as part of the inquiry.
According to Customs sources, there is a significant issue concerning the marks and numbers on the two containers seized in the Middeniya incident. The marks and numbers on the parcels or covers found inside the containers reportedly differed from those recorded when the materials were initially inspected by Customs and the police.
This discrepancy suggests that the items or bags may have been swapped, or that the containers were used as storage units or warehouses. If the contents were changed, it would mean that the materials tested were not the original consignment that entered the port.
| Ratama Ekata making ‘haul-some’ progressAs of November 7, 2025, the “Ratama Ekata” (Nation United) campaign has recorded substantial seizures of narcotics. Authorities confiscated 583 g Methamphetamine (Ice), 416 g of Heroin, and 1 Kg 926 g Cannabis (Ganja), along with 25,653 plants of Ganja. Other drugs seized include 1 kg, 900 g of Cocaine, 4 g of Kush, 1 kg and 017 g of Hashish, 1,172 Meth tablets, 423 units of Madanamodaka, and 114 units of Mawa. The enforcement efforts have led to the apprehension of 1,087 suspects, with a total of 1,089 arrests recorded. Following legal proceedings, 11 suspects were referred for detention orders, while 16 individuals were directed toward rehabilitation programmes, underscoring the campaign’s dual focus on law enforcement and recovery. The “Ratama Ekata” campaign, launched on October 30, 2025, continues to achieve significant results in Implemented by the Sri Lanka Police, the campaign targets both the supply and demand of drugs, while also placing strong emphasis on rehabilitation and community engagement. Its strategic objectives include eliminating drug supply, reducing demand, expanding operations, supporting rehabilitation, and strengthening community resilience against drug networks. | |
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