Three Arrested in Trincomalee for Attempting to Smuggle Drugs

COLOMBO (News 1st): Three suspects involved in a plot to transport drugs into the country via a fishing vessel were arrested while hiding in Trincomalee.

The raid was conducted under the supervision of Inspector Nuwan Thilakaratne, Second-in-Command of the Trincomalee Police Special Task Force.

According to the Special Task Force, a five-member group had set sail from Mirissa Harbor on September 15 aboard the multi-day fishing vessel Ran Menika 13. 

The group reportedly loaded 180 kilograms of heroin and ICE on two occasions in international waters from an Iranian vessel before attempting to bring the drugs ashore in Sri Lanka.

When pursued by a Navy vessel, the suspects threw the drugs into the sea. 

The skipper and another member of the group were arrested upon arriving at Mirissa fishing port on the second day, while the remaining three initially escaped.

The three fugitives were later apprehended in Trincomalee while hiding and were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau in Kotawila, Matara last night.