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Special Excise Unit robs Rs.2.5mn from suspect?

30 November 2015 10:15 pm - 7     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Controversy surrounds a shocking incident relating to the Colombo Excise Department where members of its special branch had allegedly assaulted and threatened a businessman in Mannar at gunpoint and robbed his cash amounting to Rs.2.5 million, informed sources disclosed.

Six members attached to the special unit, which is known as the Special Branch or the Intelligence Unit that directly operates under the purview of the Department’s Deputy Commissioner Crimes, had arrested a businessman in Mannar on November 21 during a special raid.

The Excise team in civvies led by the Officer-in-Charge of the special unit armed with pistols had obstructed the businessman’s car at an undisclosed location on the Mannar – Anuradhapura main Road.

The businessman identified as Dushmantha and his driver Pradeep were taken into custody for the alleged possession and transportation of Kerala Ganja

(a strong variety of Cannabis usually smuggled from South India).

The sleuths however could not find any narcotics in the trader’s possession but only found a bundle of currency notes amounting to Rs.2.5 million in the car.

When the sleuths had failed to find any narcotics in the vehicle, they had taken the duo to a remote area and brutally assaulted them and threatened with death at gunpoint before relieving them of their money, sources said.

The sleuths were however careful not to disclose their identity as to which law enforcement agency they belonged to.

The businessman who was in a serious condition had got himself admitted to the Dambulla Hospital and had reportedly made a full statement to the Hospital Police Post that an armed gang had robbed his money after assaulting them.

The Excise unit retrieving back to Colombo had rushed to the Dambulla Hospital after hearing that the businessman’s condition was serious than they thought.

The sleuths had returned half of the robbed money to the owner immediately and tried to “cool him off” by promising the rest soon and forced him to discharge from the hospital.

According to sources, the unit is currently engaged with two infamous characters in Gampaha called ‘Osmond’ and ‘Denim Shantha’ to compromise a settlement with the agitated businessman without going for legal action.

The incident had also been brought to the attention of Excise Commissioner General L K G Gunawardena but the outcome was not immediately known. Attempts to get a comment from the Excise Commissioner were not successful. (Kevin Kariyawasam)

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  Comments - 7

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  • simon Tuesday, 01 December 2015 05:07 AM

    As usual they will be investigated grilled and let free !

    Leo Tuesday, 01 December 2015 09:20 AM

    Special robbers branch. via DM Android App

    sacre blieu Tuesday, 01 December 2015 09:19 AM

    This is some of the methods employed by the excise department and also they are involved in either transporting or allowing ganja, illicit brew and other banned substances. If you look at their life styles, their salaries would not cover a fraction of it. If the custom bribe case of Rs. 125 mn., is anything to go by, imagine the amount of bribery and frauds taking place.

    Dee Tuesday, 01 December 2015 09:23 AM

    Reveal the officers names please. Society will see to the rest.

    Fazil Tuesday, 01 December 2015 09:48 AM

    Unless the punishments are severe for a crime this trend will continue. The law should be in place at any cost and its must.

    ANTON Tuesday, 01 December 2015 11:07 AM

    THIS IS NOTHING, BIGGEST CRIME IN SRILANKA IS YAWNING IN THE COURTS.

    Mason Tuesday, 01 December 2015 11:22 AM

    Sad to say, every government department is riddled with corruption. Those elected to clean up this too are found wanting.It appears that we are destined to stay with it.


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