Witnesses testify behind closed doors against PNB drug operation

COLOMBO (News 1st): Four independent witnesses provided evidence behind closed doors to the Colombo Chief Magistrate, regarding the Police Narcotic Bureau officers who are connected to the PNB drug operation. This was based on an order issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate, Lanka Jayaratne to the Criminal Investigations Department. The four independent witnesses had informed the CID, they would prefer to provide information they have on the PNB drug operation behind closed doors. The witnesses had provided statements for about one and a half hours, according to News 1st correspondent at the court premises. A request was forwarded to the Acting Inspector General of Police, to conduct a disciplinary inquiry on the PNB officers connected to the drug operation. The Police Narcotics Bureau has requested the Acting IGP to conduct the disciplinary inquiry through the Special Investigations Unit of Sri Lanka Police. The Criminal Investigations Department is currently interrogating the 18 PNB officers who are charged over the drug operation. Sri Lanka Police said among the detained PNB officers are two Inspectors of Police, three sub-inspectors, five police sergeants and eight constables. According to Sri Lanka Police, the CID is currently conducting a separate investigation regarding the assets of the suspected PNB officers, including their bank accounts. Police is paying close attention on to whether there are other officers at the Police Narcotics Bureau who are also connected to the drug operation. "If there are any such suspected police officers at the PNB, they will be arrested," Sri Lanka Police said on Tuesday (July 14).