Police arrest 21 in child sex racket

He said that three suspects, identified as the vice chairman of Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha, a businessman who had obtained the under aged girl for cash over the internet and a resident of Panadura who had aided in trading this under girl over the internet, were taken into custody on Wednesday night.

The Senior DIG said that the police had identified many others who had been involved in this racket and information is being gathered regarding them. They were produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court yesterday (July 1).

One of the other suspects who was arrested on Wednesday in Wellawatte had been nabbed while he had brought another woman to be traded for sex. The woman and the car in which they had travelled was also taken into police custody. On being tipped off regarding this racket, a special team from the Mount Lavinia Police had initiated investigations into the sexual exploitation racket of the 15-year-old.

The first arrest in connection with the said sex trafficking ring was made on June 7, the police spokesman added.

Law enforcement authorities uncovered that the main perpetrator had posted several advertisements on social media platforms and sold the teen to third parties for a period of three months.

Later,17 other suspects were also taken into custody on several occasions for aiding and abetting crime, including two women.