Police seize 19 firearms, ammunition and drugs in major Colombo operation

Police have seized 19 firearms, T-56 ammunition, crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and more than 100,000 prescription pills (Pregabalin) following a two-week investigation that uncovered a suspected drug and weapons trafficking network operating between the Southern and Western provinces.

The cache was recovered from a house in Dematagoda on Wednesday (03) by officers attached to the Western Province North Crimes Division.

The operation stemmed from a series of narcotics investigations launched in May. Investigators first arrested a suspect in Ragama on May 12 with crystal meth and heroin. A second suspect was arrested in Peliyagoda on May 18 with more than 1.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

Further investigations led officers to a large drug haul recovered on May 22 in Sri Dharmarama Mawatha, Dematagoda, where nearly 46 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and more than seven kilograms of Kerala cannabis were seized without any suspects being present at the scene.

Police subsequently identified and arrested a key suspect allegedly linked to the trafficking operation. He was taken into custody in Neluwa while staying in a rented house with a woman.

Investigators later traced the origin of the narcotics to the Matara area and arrested a woman suspected of assisting the operation. Police also discovered that another individual allegedly involved in transporting drugs to Matara is currently in remand custody after being arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau in Matara for possession of crystal methamphetamine.

Information obtained during the interrogation of the suspect arrested in Neluwa led officers to the Dematagoda property where the latest cache was discovered.

Police recovered 19 firearms, 19 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 15.2 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 100,400 pregabalin tablets from the location.

The Western Province North Crimes Division said the breakthrough was the result of nearly 14 days of continuous intelligence gathering, surveillance and investigative work.

Further investigations are underway to identify additional suspects linked to the trafficking, storage and transportation of drugs and firearms. (Newswire)

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