CID Probe Uncovers Major Lapses in Release of Container Linked to ‘Ice’ Drug Syndicate

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigation Department has recorded statements from several officials, including the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Police Narcotics Bureau and its Director, in connection with the release of a containers reportedly containing the drug “Ice” discovered in the Middeniya area.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the containers in question had been cleared after inspections conducted by both the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Customs Department.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered critical details in its ongoing probe into the release of a container allegedly linked to the production of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice,” discovered in Middeniya.

Investigations have revealed that samples taken from the container were tested at the Customs laboratory, which reported no presence of suspicious substances. 

Based on this report, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) issued written instructions stating there was no objection to releasing the container.

However, the CID has found that the PNB did not conduct its own chemical analysis using its testing kits before clearing the container.

The container was traced to Middeniya following information obtained from the recent arrest of a suspect known as Backhoe Saman.

Police say the substances originally in the container were transported to Wattala and Nuwara Eliya, allegedly for the purpose of manufacturing crystal methamphetamine.

According to investigators, a clandestine facility in Wattala has already produced 14 kilograms of “Ice,” of which 10 kilograms were reportedly purchased by the criminal identified as Kehelbaddara Padme. 

Police further revealed that Pakistani nationals were involved in the production process.

The dangerous nature of the seized substances has now been confirmed by both the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and the Government Analyst’s Department, which verified the presence of crystal methamphetamine in the materials recovered from the containers buried on a property in Middeniya.