Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division to begin operations

Colombo, Oct. 20 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Police to set up a new unit, Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division (PCID), to investigate property acquired through criminal activities, today.

The PCID will investigate the illegal wealth of individuals, including politicians, criminals, and drug traffickers. It is responsible for the investigation, restraint, forfeiture, and disposal of proceeds of crime. It would work with other agencies, such as the Bribery Commission (CIABOC), to combat corruption and recover assets.

The unit will be established under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act, recently passed in Parliament. It will operate under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The Act provides a comprehensive legal framework for asset recovery, including non-conviction based forfeiture, which allows for the seizure of assets without a prior criminal conviction.

The inauguration will take place under the patronage of Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala with the participation of Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya.

The new Unit will be established at the Old Police Headquarters in Colombo 01.

Police have already seized property worth Rs. 4.5 billion from organised criminals during special operations. The confiscated assets include buildings, houses, vehicles, land, jewellery, boats, and cash amounting to Rs. 57 million.

These assets have been placed under restriction in accordance with the Money Laundering Act, he added.