12 people, including drug trafficker Shiran Basik, arrested in UAE

Shiraz Bassik, identified as a large-scale drug trafficker, along with 12 other individuals, has been arrested by security forces in the United Arab Emirates. It has been revealed that he, who is said to have operated the drug network in this country while residing abroad, lived as an extremely wealthy individual in the UAE.

Special information has been received by local intelligence agencies that this suspect, currently in custody, is making a strenuous effort to somehow escape the legal framework and gain freedom.

Shiraz Bassik, who has maintained very close ties with people from various strata of society, powerful politicians, and high-ranking police officers, has also contributed to the success of meetings of two major political parties in this country during the recent past, according to intelligence reports. He arranged for a large number of people from the Dehiwala and Mount Lavinia areas to be transported by bus to the respective political meetings. Investigations have revealed that one of these political meetings was held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, and the other in the Dehiwala area.

It has been discovered that Shiraz Bassik owns large-scale business establishments as well as numerous valuable properties in Sri Lanka and foreign countries. On a previous occasion, the Sri Lanka Police, acting on his illegal assets, took steps to confiscate a valuable motor vehicle owned by his son, along with several other properties.

Authorities and security forces have launched a special operation to bring this main drug trafficker, apprehended in the United Arab Emirates, and the other suspects to Sri Lanka to face justice under the country's law.