Rs. 87 Mn Asset Probe Lands 'Thotalanga Poddi' in Remand

COLOMBO(News1st): A woman alleged to be involved in narcotics trafficking, Vindani Priyadarshika Suriyarachchi, better known as "Thotalanga Poddi," has been remanded until August 17 after she was produced to the Colombo Additional Magistrate's Court.

The order was issued after the suspect was produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Kasun Kanchana Dasanayake.

She was arrested by the Organized Crime Assets Investigation Unit of the Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Investigating officers informed court that the suspect is alleged to have accumulated substantial assets through large-scale narcotics trafficking operations.

Investigators further stated that the arrest was made in connection with an inquiry aimed at identifying, tracing and disabling assets believed to have been acquired through criminal activities.

The court was also informed that the suspect had conducted financial transactions through six separate bank accounts.

Investigating officers said steps have already been taken to suspend and freeze those bank accounts as part of the ongoing investigation.