Underworld leader 'Ran Malli' arrested in Bulgaria

Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya confirmed that Charith Sandakalum, also known as 'Ran Malli', a resident of Dikwella, suspected of operating a large-scale drug network in Sri Lanka while residing in Dubai for a long time, has been arrested by Bulgarian security forces in Bulgaria.

The arrest was made by Bulgarian authorities based on Interpol Red Notices and information from border security databases. It is reported that he was apprehended while attempting to enter Europe using fake documents to evade international law enforcement agencies.

Currently, arrangements are being made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring the suspect back to Sri Lanka under extradition laws.

Sandakalum, who is accused of being involved in several organized crimes in the country, has been identified by investigators as a key member of the drug network allegedly operated by Nadun Chinthaka alias 'Harak Kata', who is currently detained at Tangalle Prison.

His name has been directly linked to several of the largest drug and money laundering investigations carried out in the country recently. One of the main incidents is the seizure of 345 kilograms of 'Ice' (Crystal methamphetamine) worth over 300 million rupees on November 12, 2025, at the Andagala Wella beach in Kirinda.

Police suspect Sandakalum, who was in Dubai at the time, to be the owner of the drug consignment found during that joint operation conducted by the Western North Crimes Division, Tangalle Crimes Division, and the Police Narcotics Bureau. He is also accused of providing 500,000 rupees each to several suspects for transporting the drugs to various parts of the island. In connection with that incident, eight suspects were arrested along with six vehicles, and the Tissamaharama Magistrate's Court remanded them for seven days for further investigations.

Furthermore, intelligence reports have identified Sandakalum as the mastermind behind the massive deep-sea drug operation in 2022, where 331 kilograms of heroin were seized off the Great Basses Reef near Hambantota. That operation was carried out jointly by the Sri Lanka Navy, Police Special Task Force, and the Narcotics Bureau.

His criminal network was not limited to drug trafficking. He is also the main suspect in the large-scale money laundering investigation concerning 13.9 million rupees found buried in the rented house premises in Pannipitiya, Kottawa, in July 2021. After information revealed that he had entrusted this money network, suspected to be earned from drug trafficking, to his nephew Dinesh Lakmal to operate within Sri Lanka, Lakmal, who had rented the house, was also arrested.

'Ran Malli's' attempt to evade the international security net has now ended, and after he is brought back to Sri Lanka, a comprehensive investigation will be launched by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the Kirinda 'Ice' trafficking, money laundering, and other organized crime charges against him.