Traces of narcotics found in main suspect’s car

By T. Farook Thajudeen and Yoshitha Perera   

With reference to the inquiry into Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) personnel in police custody, the CID informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that according to the Government Analyst’s report, traces of heroin and morphine were discovered under the driving seat, passenger seats and the spare wheels of the private vehicles used by the main suspect SI Udara Chathuranga.   

• Traces of heroin and morphine were discovered under the driving seat,  passenger seats and the spare wheels of the private vehicles used by the  main suspect SI Udara Chathuranga

The CID said the four vehicles belonging to SI Chathuranga were sent to the GA’s department. 

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris appearing for the Attorney General’s Department said that the suspects had used their private vehicles to carry out the raids while the CID was wondering whether the traces of the drugs found were from the drugs used for trafficking.   

DSG Dileepa Peiris said according to the GA drugs had been removed from 22 parcels in the PNB production room.  

After considering the submissions by the prosecution, the Magistrate directed the GA to submit a report whether any other substance mixed with the heroin had been obtained from the PNB production room.   

The Magistrate rejected the request made by counsel appearing on behalf of the suspects that their clients be released on bail and instructed the counsel to submit written submission before the next calling date and re-remanded till August 18.  
The prosecution was represented by CID ASP Meryl Ranjan Lamahewa and several other police personnel. Attorneys Ajith Pathirana, Wasantha Pitigala, Dammi Rathnayake and Harith Hettiarachchi appeared for the suspects.