Firearms, Police Gear & Fake Plates Found in Drug Raid

COLOMBO (News 1st); Substances believed to be used in the production of crystal meth (Ice), discovered in Middeniya, Kandana, and Netolpitiya in Tangalle, have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigation.

Police stated that two individuals arrested in connection with the incident have also been handed over to the PNB.

Based on information revealed during interrogations of Backhoe Saman, an organized criminal currently detained, the narcotics were traced to these locations.

One of the suspects arrested is Wijewickrama Manamperige Piyal Senadheera, reportedly the brother of the faction that owns the property in Middeniya. He is former SLPP member of the Agunukolapelessa Pradeshiya Sabha, and he is currently in custody under a detention order and held by the PNB.

His 82-year-old father was also arrested.

During a search of the house on the Middeniya property by the Police Special Task Force (STF), officers discovered:

3 police-branded T-shirts
2 bottoms
A piece of police uniform fabric
2 batons
2 belts
4 jungle belts
A sling for a T-56 rifle
A barrel part of a 12-bore firearm
A locally made firearm compatible with T-56 ammunition
A functional part and barrel of a 12-bore weapon

Police also found two sets of number plates—one for a motorcycle and one for a car—hidden on the property.

Sampath Manamperi, the alleged owner of the Middeweniya property, was a SLPP candidate in the last local council elections. He is currently on the run, and police have launched an investigation to apprehend him.

Customs has also launched an investigation into how two containers containing suspected meth production materials were cleared through customs.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting a parallel investigation into the container clearance process.

Meanwhile, a house in Nuwara Eliya, allegedly used as a meth production facility by the criminal network led by Backhoe Saman and Kehelbaddara Padme, was inspected by the STF.

The house had been rented monthly by Padme, and the owner told police that a lorry carrying white crystalline material was brought to the house several months ago.

The vehicle reportedly broke down near the house, drawing the owner's attention. Due to his objections, the lorry was later removed, according to police.