The large drug haul which was recently seized in Matara had been smuggled into Sri Lanka via the sea route, the Police said, giving further details on the seizure.
According to the Police, information had been received that the drugs had been smuggled in through the sea route in the Nunnawela area in Gandara, Matara on Monday and had been transported via a van.
The Matara Division Crimes Investigation Unit launched a probe leading to the arrest of five persons on suspicion in Matara on Wednesday, during which they had also seized Rs. 615,000, which is suspected to have been used for drug peddling.
The arrested suspects are aged 29,42, 44, 46 and 58 years old and are residents of Gandara, Devinuwara, and Beliatta.
Further interrogation of the suspects led to the arrest of one suspect in the Gandara area, one suspect in Mount Lavinia, and two suspects in Ratmalana yesterday.
Interrogations of these suspects had led to the arrest of another suspect from the Nagoda area in Galle with 160 kilos of ICE and 60 kilos of heroin.
The arrested suspects are aged 26, 27, 29, 51, and 58 years old and are residents of Nagoda, Galle, Welipenna, Maharagama, and Ratmalana. The group has been arrested on charges of transporting and possession of narcotics.
The Matara Division Crimes Investigation Unit and the Police Narcotics Unit are conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)
