Drug trafficker shot dead when trying to escape

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

A 34-year-old resident of Poddala arrested on charges of possessing 33.6 grams of heroin was yesterday shot dead by the police when attempting to escape from police custody, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.  

He said the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) personnel arrested the suspect in the vicinity of the Galle Municipal Council on Monday and was on the way to be produced to the Kuliyapitiya JMO when he attemted to escape.   

The suspect is reported to have died on admission to the Karapitiya Hospital.  

The SSP said investigations had revealed that the suspect had four pending court cases in connection with the possession of heroin.