A billion dollars taken out of the country: A decision regarding private bank officials

The Colombo Magistrate's Court has ordered the main businessman and four private bank officials, who are connected to the incident of illegally sending over one billion US dollars abroad under the guise of importing goods, to be further remanded until September 03rd next month. Colombo Magistrate Asanga S.

Bodaragama issued this order, rejecting the bail applications submitted on behalf of the relevant bank officials.

Officials of the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division, presenting facts to the court, stated that these bank officials were arrested based on statements obtained from the main suspect in the incident, businessman Mohamed Jiffry, and employees of his institution. Furthermore, it has been revealed that the main suspect is involved in drug trafficking, and due to another related case, the police further revealed that he has also been remanded by the Negombo Magistrate's Court until September 02nd.

Indictments have been filed against Mohamed Jiffry under the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance for depositing Rs. 6,050,000 earned from drug trafficking into a bank account. Furthermore, investigating officers informed the court that investigations are proceeding under several charges including illegal foreign exchange transactions, forging documents, impersonation, and violating the Customs Ordinance.

As investigations are being conducted to determine if there are other officials who abetted the incident, the police requested the court for permission to record statements from the remanded suspects within the prison, and a related evidence summary report was also submitted to the court. Meanwhile, President's Counsel M.M. Suhair, appearing for the suspect businessman, requested the court to release his client on bail.