Six heroin trawler suspects detained to uncover network

Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta gave permission yesterday (18) to detain and interrogate the six suspects arrested in connection with the detection  of 179 kg of heroin at the Police Narcotics Bureau till April 23.

A fishing trawler carrying over 179 kg of heroin was intercepted by the Navy in the Southern seas and the six suspects were brought to the Galle Harbour Monday.

The police had requested the court’s permission to detain the suspects in the Police Narcotics Bureau as they want to make efforts to uncover the information related to this drug network.

Apart from this, the Police Narcotics Bureau also requested the permission of the court to analyze telephone records of the suspects.

The court also allowed the detention of the arrested multi-day fishing vessels at the Mirissa fishing port.

The Navy said the seized stock of heroin had a street value of over Rs.3,593 million. In a co-ordinated operation conducted out by the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard,based on information of the State Intelligence Service, a local multi-day fishing trawler carrying about 179 kg and 654g (including packages) of heroin was intercepted about 132 nautical miles (about 244km) off the Little Basses, Hambantota on April 15.