Iranian’s involvement suspected in ICE lab found in Hambantota apartment complex

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Just a day after tests by the National Dangerous Drugs  Control Board (NDDCB) confirmed that chemicals found in Middeniya were  linked to the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), police have  uncovered another suspected ICE production facility, this time in an  apartment complex in Hambantota.   
The operation, led by the Kalutara Crimes Investigations  Division, resulted in the seizure of a range of equipment and chemicals  believed to be used in meth production.   
Police said a vehicle parked at the premises was suspected of having been used for transporting drugs.   
Police arrested a 20-year-old suspect at the scene, said to  be an associate of Wellawaya-based underworld figure ‘Suranga’. The  suspect was detained for seven days for further questioning after being produced before  the Panadura Magistrate’s Court.   
It was reported that several Iranian nationals were  residing in the apartment complex, raising suspicions of their  involvement.   
However, police said that investigations are ongoing to determine any direct links to foreign nationals.   
The officers seized 14 cans containing 52 litres of  chemicals suspected to be precursors for ICE, along with various other  laboratory equipment consistent with illegal drug manufacturing.   
This latest discovery adds to a growing list of similar  meth labs unearthed in recent weeks in Nuwara Eliya, Middeniya,  Netolipitiya, and Kandana.   
On Sunday, the NDDCB confirmed that 17 out of 20 chemical  samples collected from the Middeniya site tested positive for  methamphetamine-related substances. That operation followed the  interrogation of organised crime figure “Backhoe Saman”, who is  currently in custody.   
Police said that samples collected from the Hambantota site  will be sent for laboratory testing, while chemical samples from the  Nuwara Eliya and Kandana raids still remain under examination.   
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala earlier revealed  that investigations had found organised crime syndicates had brought in  foreign nationals to operate meth labs in Sri Lanka, with some  operations allegedly funded by underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme in  the Nuwara Eliya area.   
The Minister also said that two Pakistani nationals were  identified by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as having  played key roles in running the ICE lab in Nuwara Eliya.   
Police said further investigations are underway to  determine whether more such clandestine operations are being carried out  elsewhere in the country.