Police officer arrested amidst narcotics, arms smuggling probe

COLOMBO (News1st): A sub-police inspector has been arrested over a probe into large-scale drug trafficking and arms smuggling, police said. The arrest was made based on information uncovered while questioning some Police Narcotics Bureau officers who were arrested over the racket. Further investigations are being carried out into the 49-year old suspect under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, according to the police. A newspaper journalist in Medamulana has also been arrested for over the distribution of firearms to organized crime groups. The suspect had smuggled firearms into the Pitipana area in Homagama under the guise of covering the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Meanwhile, a suspect has been arrested with three firearms and ammunition during a raid in Mirigama. The suspect is due to be produced in court on Thursday. Police reports show that a suspect arrested in Padukka with a kilo of heroin is being questioned for seven days under detention orders. The suspect had been nabbed with 1.1 kilos of heroin worth Rs 12 million.