3 July 2020 12:11 am
The arrested PNB officers being taken to courts.
Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana
By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya
Court yesterday ordered the CID to detain till July 8 and question 12 Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officers, who were arrested for alleged drug trafficking.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna permitted the CID to detain and question the PNB officers including a Police Inspector and Sub Inspector who were arrested yesterday.
The Attorney General’s Department informed the CID to produce them in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on charges of trafficking drugs. Earlier, four officers including a Sub Inspector attached to the PNB were also arrested for allegedly selling drugs to drug dealers.
Following the arrest, the CID took into custody two vans and a jeep from the possession of the arrested officers. Police said they suspected that these vehicles had been used in the drug racket. Police also seized a sum of Rs 31.2 million and around 20 sovereigns of gold jewellery following the investigations.
It was found that these officers had been engaged in selling drugs for some time and had been crediting the proceeds to their respective bank accounts.
A total of 16 police officers and a civilian have been taken into custody with regard to this case.