Court Remands Chinese National Accused of Extorting Port City Investors

COLOMBO (News 1st): A Chinese national arrested over allegations of involvement in organised crime activities in China and the alleged extortion of investors in the Colombo Port City has been remanded until October 28.

The order was issued after the suspect was produced before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena.

The suspect was arrested by officers of the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau at a luxury hotel in Colombo.

Police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Shen Richard.

According to police, authorities in China have issued warrants against him on two separate occasions.

Investigators initially examined the suspect following information that he was in possession of narcotics.

During the search, police recovered two packets of cigarettes that are not authorised for use in Sri Lanka.

Police further stated that several passports issued by China and other countries were found in the suspect's possession.

Among them were a Chinese passport bearing his name and two passports issued by the Republic of Vanuatu.

Investigators also recovered seven additional passports bearing the names of other Chinese nationals.

In addition, police seized five mobile phones and 42 SIM cards registered to a private company in Sri Lanka.

The suspect was subsequently produced before court, where he was ordered remanded until October 28 while investigations continue into the allegations against him.