Given 90-Day Detention Orders for Kehelbaddara Padme, Interrogation of Underworld Figures Reveals Southern Drug Ring

Colombo: Alleged underworld figures "Kehelbaddara Padme," "Commando Salintha," and "Panadura Nilanga" have been given 90-day detention orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for interrogation by the CID.

Meanwhile, the interrogation of two other key underworld figures, "Backhoe Samantha" and "Thambili Lahiru," who were recently arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia, has led to a significant breakthrough. According to police sources, their questioning has revealed information about seven individuals involved in drug and arms trafficking in the Southern Province.

Police believe these seven individuals, all residents of the Middeniya area, operated a drug and arms trafficking network under the direction of the gang leaders who were hiding abroad. The suspects reportedly carried out their operations based on phone calls from Backhoe Samantha, Thambili Lahiru, and Kehelbaddara Padme.

A team from the Western North Crimes Division launched an operation to arrest the suspects and raided seven houses in the Middeniya area yesterday. However, the police found that the individuals had fled the area with their families, leaving their houses locked.

A senior police official told that a police team has been dispatched to the Southern Province to conduct further investigations. The operation is being carried out under the direct supervision of Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, and under the guidance of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeeva Dharmaratne. Assistant Superintendent of Police Rohan Olugala, the director of the Western Province Criminal Investigation Division, and Chief Inspector Linton de Silva are leading the team. (NewsCenter)