Horana heroin part of 'Harak Kata's drug operation; Police

Colombo (News 1st); Police investigations have revealed the 45 kilograms of heroin seized from Horana on Wednesday (24) night, were part of a drug trafficking ring operated by two leading traffickers from Dubai. Deputy Police Chief Ajith Rohana speaking to reporters on Thursday (25) said one of them is identified as Ruwan Chinthaka from Weligama, who is also known as 'Harak Kata', a close associate of slain underworld don 'Angoda Lokka'. The other person is a 24-year-old wanted for a homicide in Sri Lanka, said the police spokesperson. On Wednesday (24) night two suspects were arrested along with 45 kg of Heroin after inspecting a van in Horana. The arrests were made during a special raid carried out by the Panadura Anti-Vice Narcotic Striking Unit in Horana, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st. The driver of the vehicle who was in uniform has been identified as a Sri Lanka Army officer, while the second suspect is an army deserter, the Deputy Police Chief said. The van used by the suspects to transport heroin had a number plate of the Sri Lanka Army, said Sri Lanka Police close to the Imaduwa Exit of the Southern Expressway. Sri Lanka Police arrested 14 leading drug traffickers in the past year. Sri Lanka Army said the maximum and stern disciplinary action is to be taken against the Army member, nabbed by the Police in Horana with a deserter of the Army while both of them were jointly transporting a stock of 45 kg of heroin in an Army vehicle. The said vehicle used on a rental basis for administrative purposes of the Army in Colombo belongs to the Mechanized Infantry Regiment (MIR) in Dambulla and was driven by a relief driver of the Army while the permanent Army driver was away on leave. On being informed, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army instructed law enforcement authorities and the Sri Lanka Military Police to take stern action against the Army member and impose maximum possible punishment on the culprits in accordance with legal provisions, said the Sri Lanka Army. The two suspects were produced to the Horana Magistrate's Court and will be detained for 07 days for interrogation.