Whose political hand is behind largest heroin consignment found in Beruwala?

Whose political hand is behind largest heroin consignment found in Beruwala?

The second biggest consignment of heroin found in the history of Sri Lanka was cordoned in Beruwala last week. This operation was carried out by police after a period of time.

What was said by information received by the intelligence services was that a quantity of kilos of heroin from Pakistan was to be brought to this country b a trawler boat. It was sub-inspector K.A. Premalal of Police Special Task Force and Inspector of Police Tharaka Subodha who were informed
about this. Thus, this united operation was launched with supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Sajeewa Medawatta of police narcotics bureau under directions of Senior Deputy General of Police of police special task force administrator Mr. M.R. Latiff.

As such, in order to check procedures regarding the transaction about buying this stock of heroin some officers were sent to Pakistan. Investigations officers were able to find that Kimbula ele Guna the kingpin connected to the mafia of narcotics dealing in this country is behind this deal. Kimula ele Guna made his escape from the island because of the fear of operations launched under Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sisira Kumara of police special task force control unit of underground crime. Kimbula ele Guna who was involved in underground and narcotics activities from 1990 was also someone who has had dealings with the L.T.T.E. The Tiger suicide bomber who was directly involved in the bomb attack on former President Mrs. Chandrika Cumaratunga in 1999 had come after lodging at haunt of Kimbula ele Guna. Kimbula ele Guna who had made his escape to South India in Tamil Nadu was taken into custody by Tamil Nadu police in the year 2008 also over a narcotics deal. It is then that Guna who has made his way to Dubai from India that he involves himself with underground elements by transporting narcotics to this country on a grand scale with their support. He then combines himself with the gang of Makandure Madush the latter of whom is trying hard to become the godfather of the underground world because of the heroin network which is in the hands of Madush. However, these dealers were unaware that a united intelligence operation is already underway to trap the stock of heroin which is being prepared to be sent to this country. These intelligence officers had secured the support of foreign intelligence officers as well in this respect.

It was revealed to Intelligence services operations beforehand about a move to unload a consignment of heroin to Beruwala shore by a trawler boat. Therefore, immediate steps were taken to corner their proceedings in the middle of the waters so that the suspects would have no way of escape, which was their objective. For this purpose the support of the Navy and shore protection force were warranted.

Before launching their operations with the Navy in unison, an operation was carried out by narcotics control officers a few days prior on land along Beruwala coastal belt. The most successful operations carried out by the police narcotics control unit officers before this with the support of the Navy was when it was possible to nab 11 suspects with 110 kilos of heroin carried by an Iranian vessel. That was in the month of April, 2016 on a tip off received by Nawagamuwa police officer in charge, Mr. Manjula de Silva across intelligence officers. It is of special interest to note that both Iranese and Pakistani drug-traffickers are involved in this racket.

The objective in this instance too was to corner the suspects alive. It was already known that a trawler boat had been sent to Pakistan by a millionaire businessman of Beruwala area. According to information revealed by investigation officers the consignment of heroin was to be brought to the island last 5th. Even by about 8 that night the Navy and officers of police narcotics control unit had commenced operations in Beruwala sea itself. They had remained in the sea close to Beruwala lighthouse so that they could spot a boat from a distance of about six kilometres from there. The said trawler was arrested at about 11.30 in the night a stock of heroin was found, thus confirming intelligence reports.

There were two persons inside the trawler and the boat was brought to Beruwala port with them. On investigations carried out there, 231 kilos of heroin with 214 parcels of 54 grammes were found deposited in empty sacks of sugar. It is the opinion of investigating officers that according to the present market value, this consignment of heroin exceeds Rs. two hundred and seventy seven crores, or in other words over Rs. two billion.

It was one Mohommed Farfan from of Maradana Road, Beruwala and Dilip Prasanna living in No. 298, Godella, Beruwala who were so taken into custody. The owner of the trawler boat which transported the stock of heroin from Pakistan happened to be an elder brother of Dilip Prasanna. Though he has disappeared by now, the trawler boat and some other suspects have been cornered by Friday (7).

Prior to this the biggest heroin haul was 261 kilos. This consignment which was brought from Pakistan after being packed in grease tins had

been taken into custody at Orugodawatta customs in the month of August 30th, 2013. However, unlike this time, it was not possible to apprehend any suspect in that instance. Reports were published that a political hand is behind suspects who were arrested this time and further information will be revealed according to investigations.

- K.D. Jayaratna -