Over 15 mn imported narcotic tablets seized at the Colombo port

Colombo (News 1st) - Over 15 million tablets of a narcotic substance have been seized from a freight container at the Colombo Port. Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara said the tablets were discovered following a raid carried out by the officials of the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Sri Lanka Customs. The pill which was identified as Tramadol is a painkiller and can only be purchased from the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation with a doctors prescription. Authorities say that only the 50mg tablet can be imported into the country. The tablets that were seized today were 225mg each. The pills had been brought down under the guise of importing sanitary products. Pradeep Kumara the Asst. Director of the Dangerous Drugs Control Board stated that there is no chance these pills could be given to patients as a painkiller, due to it's dosage adding that it was clear that this was brought down for a different purpose. The container which had originated in India was bound for Libya. SP Ruwan Gunasekara added that they have informed the Libyan Ambassadors Office regarding this adding that the Police is due to present facts to the Hultsdorf Chief Magistrates Court on this issue.