Three drug kingpins threaten Chief Inspector of Western North Crimes Division

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, August 5 (Daily Mirror) - The Western North Crimes Investigation Division today informed court that death threats had been made via WhatsApp on Chief Inspector Linton de Silva of the Western North Crimes Division by three notorious underworld figures and drug traffickers.

Appearing before court, an officer of the Crimes Division North stated that investigations have revealed the threatening calls had originated from a well-known underworld gang member and drug trafficker, Padmasiri Perera, alias 'Kehelbaddara Padme,' along with two others currently residing overseas, Aminda Roshan Jayasekara, alias 'Dharun' of Kurunegala and Tanthrimesthri Salinda Madushan Perera, alias 'Commando Salinda' of Negombo. The threatening call had been received on August 3 at approximately 8:33 p.m.

Further investigations revealed that the threats had been made following the arrest of a suspect named Devanmini Dissanayake in connection with a heroin trafficking operation. Subsequent to this arrest, Chief Inspector Linton de Silva had conducted further investigations, which led to the discovery of 440 grams of heroin.

The threatening call made via WhatsApp, included obscene language, direct death threats on the officer and his family members and intimidating remarks aimed at obstructing the ongoing investigation.

It was revealed in court that the entire phone call had been recorded by the officer using a separate mobile device. Three CDs containing the full recording had been handed over to the Department of Police Technology in Gampaha for forensic examination. The officer further informed court that these CDs would be submitted upon receipt and that a report would also be obtained from the Government Analyst regarding their contents.

The CID also sought court orders directing mobile service providers Dialog, Mobitel and Hutch to furnish records, including call logs, subscriber details and message reports related to the foreign numbers involved.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana ordered that the progress of the investigation be reported to court and granted the necessary directions to facilitate the ongoing inquiries.