Police on high alert over drugs hidden in children s toys

• This method used to avoid routine security checks 
• Suspect arrested with 107 grams of ICE
• Electronic weighing scale and two mobile phones seized

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Police have been placed on high alert following a disturbing trend in which drug traffickers are using children’s toys to conceal and transport illegal narcotics through courier services, the Daily Mirror learns.   

Police said the method is used to avoid routine security checks by disguising drugs inside ordinary, harmless-looking items.   

Police said that attention was drawn to the tactic after a raid conducted by the Ampara Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau led to the arrest of a suspect linked to a large-scale drug distribution network operating in the Maradamuna and Sainthamaruthu areas of Kalmunai.   

The suspect was arrested on Wednesday at the Kalmunai beach area in possession of 107 grams of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ICE.”   

The operation was carried out by a team led by Sub-Inspector Priyankara Niladhari of the division’s Anti-Corruption Unit, under the instructions of Chief Inspector Satharasinghe.   

During the raid, officers discovered that the high-purity narcotics had been carefully concealed inside several children’s toys.   

Police also seized Rs. 39,620 in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug sales, along with an electronic weighing scale used for packaging and two mobile phones.