Monk nabbed with heroin

Rasika Somarathna

TISSAMAHARAMA: A Buddhist monk believed to be the chief incumbent of a temple in Deberewewa town in Tissamaharama was arrested for possessing Heroin.

The 44-year-old monk who has been remanded pending Court action, was arrested inside the temple premises, together with another accomplice by Excise sleuths last week, following a tip off.

According to an Excise spokesman, the officers had also taken into custody Rs. 141,000 from the two suspects in addition to 1,630 mg of heroin.

Sources said the monk who was a heroin addict is believed to have even sold his own temple to another Monk to meet the heavy expenses of his addiction.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner General of Excise has ordered sweeping raids in the South which has been identified as a hub in the illicit liquor and drug business.

Accordingly, the Southern Special Unit has arrested 24 other suspects for breaking the law from which 15 have been arrested for Cannabis possession, five for possession of heroin and four for engaging in the illicit liquor trade.

The officers had also taken into custody 7,400 litres of moonshine, 1,055 grams of cannabis and several packets of heroin from the suspects.

The Court has ordered fines of Rs. 104,500 in addition to other penalties for some suspects. The others are to be produced before Courts shortly, sources said. In addition 10 licensed liquor outlets have been brought to book for abusing Excise rules and regulations. The raids are to be intensified in the coming weeks, Excise sources said.

The latest raids were carried out by the Southern Special Unit led by Assistant Commissioner for South B.A. Dayaratne and included Inspector Dheera Gunatilake, P. Mendis and other officers.