Iranian drug vessel brought to Colombo harbour

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Iranian vessel and the nine Iranians arrested for transporting heroin this morning have been brought to the Colombo harbour. The operation was carried out based on a tip-off received by the STF last night(March 23). The raid was conducted jointly by the STF, Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau. A total of 108kg of heroin was discovered in the vessel. The police stated they have managed to uncover that the seized haul of heroin was intended to be smuggled to Sri Lanka. The police noted that the suspects had one satellite phone and nine mobile phones at the time of their arrest. The police added that they will acquire the assistance of the translator from the Iranian Embassy to interrogate the suspects. The suspects are to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate. Investigations have revealed that a large scale drug smuggler operating out of Iran or Pakistan is linked to the haul of heroin.