Red Notice Fugitive 'Kaivaru Muthu' Arrested at BIA After Deportation

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lankan authorities have delivered a major blow to organized crime with the arrest of notorious underworld figure and alleged drug trafficker Manoj Muthukumar, better known as “Kaivaru Muthu”, following his deportation from Sharjah.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took the suspect into custody at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake in the early hours of Friday after he was deported to Sri Lanka from the United Arab Emirates.

Police Spokesman Assistant Superintendent F.U. Wootler said international Red Notices had been issued for Muthukumara's arrest, leading to his detention in Sharjah for nearly two years before authorities completed deportation procedures and returned him to Sri Lanka.

Police said the suspect will be handed over to the Western Province South Crime Division for further investigation .

In a separate development, the Illegal Assets Investigation Division arrested the sister of alleged organized crime figure Alto Dharme over accusations linked to the circulation of more than Rs. 70 million in suspected drug-related funds.

The arrest follows an investigation conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which is being used to probe financial transactions connected to organized crime and narcotics operations.

Police said investigators launched inquiries involving five suspects, including an organized crime gang member and a drug trafficker, under money laundering legislation.

During the investigation, officers uncovered information relating to four bank accounts maintained by Alto Dharme’s sister at two private banks in the Piliyandala area. According to investigators, more than Rs. 70 million had moved through the accounts, raising suspicions about the origin and nature of the funds.

The 49-year-old suspect, a resident of Madapatha, was taken into custody and is due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.