PNB seizes year's biggest drugs haul

BY ASANGA Warnakulasuriya

POLICE Narcotics Bureau (PNB) sleuths yesterday seized the biggest drug haul for this year worth over Rs. 12 million and apprehended two suspects who had allegedly smuggled the heroin from India.

Director PNB SSP Pujith Jayasundara said the suspects were arrested yesterday dawn in Duuwa, Negombo following four months of surveillance carried out by three teams comprising 14 officers. Preliminary investigations had revealed that 5kg and 724g of heroin was 'premium quality'.

On a tip-off, PNB officers deployed near the Duuwa church arrested two youths who had arrived at the Negombo fishing harbour along with their skipper in a deep sea trawler.

"The skipper, a drug kingpin wanted by PNB, was also the owner of the boat. He fled the scene immediately when his colleagues were arrested," the SSP said.

Investigations had revealed that the same suspect had escaped arrest when Indian coastguards seized his boat four years ago. "We have identified the suspect and had traced his whereabouts. His arrest is imminent," the SSP said.