Swindler using Kehelbaddara's name to extort money arrested

A suspect who allegedly intimidated people and extorted money by impersonating a Senior Superintendent of Police and claiming to have connections with "Kehelbaddara Padme," a drug trafficker and organized criminal currently in police custody, was arrested yesterday (18) in the Borella area.

A suspect who allegedly intimidated people and extorted money by impersonating a Senior Superintendent of Police and claiming to have connections with "Kehelbaddara Padme," a drug trafficker and organized criminal currently in police custody, was arrested yesterday (18) in the Borella area. This arrest was made by the Colombo South Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau.

The person arrested is a 38-year-old resident of Angulana, Ratmalana. Police investigations have revealed that he credits approximately 150,000 rupees to his account daily and consumes heroin worth about 75,000 rupees daily.

The suspect has excellent eloquence, and investigations have revealed that even while incarcerated, he intimidated various individuals and had money credited to accounts. Police state that there are about 15 cases against him related to robberies. After being arrested for the first time and produced before the court at around 20 years of age, he was detained for about 17 years in Boossa High-Security Prison and was released a few days ago.

However, investigations have also revealed that before being sent to Boossa High-Security Prison, the suspect had escaped from two other prisons where he was previously held. He was referred to Boossa High-Security Prison only after being re-arrested.

Police state that the money extorted by him was credited to the account of a person in the Trincomalee area, and that this person had met the suspect in prison. Police further state that the suspect received these funds through the "Easy Cash" method.

At the time of arrest, a smartphone, three phone SIM cards, and 3 grams of heroin were taken into police custody from the suspect's possession. The arrested suspect is to be produced before the court.