Police net Rs. 92 Mn in assets from notorious criminals; 2,008 arrested within 24 hours

21 December 2023 09:52 am

Colombo, Dec 21 (Daily Mirror) - During an islandwide crackdown on organized crime and major drug trafficking rings, the Illegal Assets or Property Investigation Division officials yesterday seized substantial assets belonging to key individuals engaged in organized crimes and drug trafficking 'Kudu Asanka,' 'Ladiya,' and 'Kudu Sriani.' 

The special operation, named 'Yukthiya,' was launched island-wide by the police on December 17.

The seized assets include three buses, two cars, two motorcycles, four valuable plots of land (including a three-storey house), 50 pounds of gold, and a substantial sum of Rs. 123,000 in cash believed to have been earned through drug trafficking. The total estimated value of the confiscated assets and money amounts to approximately Rs. 92 million.

Meanwhile, police arrested 2,008 suspects across the country during the 24-hour concluding at 12:30 am today. 

As part of the operation, police confiscated illicit substances, including 2.4 kgs of heroin, 1.2 kgs of ice, 12.2 kgs of cannabis, 73,833 cannabis plants, 5.2 kgs of Mawa, and 17,054 narcotic pills. 

Among the arrested individuals, 185 suspects are currently under investigation based on detention orders. Also, investigations into assets have been initiated on 33 suspects, while 209 individuals have been referred for rehabilitation.