Russian-Moldovan Duo Behind Weligama Drug Lab

COLOMBO (News 1st); A covert ICE drug manufacturing facility allegedly operated under the guidance of a Russian national has been uncovered in Salmal Uyana, Weligama, following a police raid that led to the seizure of approximately 10 kilograms of the synthetic narcotic.

The discovery was confirmed through scientific testing conducted earlier today, validating suspicions that the house was being used as a production site for crystal methamphetamine (ICE).

The operation came to light after the arrest of an 18-year-old Moldovan national who had been residing at the property on a rental basis. He had previously lived in the Unawatuna area.

According to investigators, the Moldovan suspect had brought in all the necessary chemicals and was actively producing ICE at the location.

Senior DIG Kitsiri Jayalath, in charge of the Southern Province, stated that the Russian national had trained the Moldovan youth and orchestrated the production process. 

“If this trend continues—producing ICE in villages just like illicit alcohol—it will leave no future for the next generation of our country,” he warned.

Authorities are now conducting deeper investigations to identify the full extent of the network behind the operation. 

Several individuals have already been linked to the case, though details remain undisclosed due to the sensitivity of the ongoing inquiry.

This is not the first time ICE manufacturing facilities have been discovered in Sri Lanka.

Previous raids in Nuwara Eliya and Mayurapura in Hambantota revealed similar operations, with total production at those sites exceeding 30 kilograms, according to current intelligence.