At Bandaranaike International Airport:

Conmen befriend, rob passengers

Stolen goods in Colombo lodge:

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Police arrested a gang that allegedly relieved people returning home from foreign employment via the Katunayake Airport of their valuables having them drugged. They allegedly committed these acts for nearly six months.

Katunayake Police arrested the gang of five on Tuesday after a two month surveillance. Police also seized jewellery and Sri Lankan and foreign currency amounting to Rs 2 million from the suspects’ possession. Police Spokesman SP Prishantha Jayakody told the Daily News that the suspects had used a 25mg tablet to drug the people. The drug not identified so far, has been sent to the Government Analyst for identification. Twenty five tablets were seized from the suspects’ possession.

The suspects had cheated the people at the arrival lobby promising to provide transport facilities in their taxis. The suspects offered the people food and beverages in their way. Immediately after the victims consumed the food, they became unconscious and the condition lasted for three to four days.

After robbing the victims belongings, the suspects abandon them and flee. Some of the victims were stranded at Kaduwela, Nittambuwa, Kuliyapitiya, Nawagamuwa etc.

Chief Inspector Eric Perera conducting the investigations said two of the good looking and well dressed suspects went to the lobby and met the people coming after clearing customs.

When they come to an agreement of the transport, the suspects instruct the would be victims to reach Ewariwatta through the shuttle service where the suspects would fetch them in their vehicles.

“So far eight complaints were made against these suspects.

“However the goods seized by the Police appeared to belong to around 20 persons” the Chief Inspector said. “But these suspects might have stolen more goods than this and we are conducting further investigations.”

CI Perera said an Indian National was among the victims and special attention is paid in his interest to make arrangements for his return.

SP Jayakody said the suspects were from Akkaraipattu, Panadura and Dias Place, Colombo 12. The jewellery, goods and the money that were robbed were from victims from Ampara, Pothuvil, Kalmunai, Akkaraipattu, Fort, Wellawatta, Maradana and Panadura. At a lodge in Colombo most of the travelling bags, purses, televisions and many other goods that were stolen were stored in a show room.

Police also seized three and half pounds of gold, three televisions, two cassette recorders, two laptops, seven wallets, six mobile phones, 18 travelling bags with goods in them.

A group of Policemen led by IP Dolamulla guided by Chief Inspector Eric Perera on the instructions of SP Chandana Galappatti conducted investigations and arrested the suspects.

The suspects produced before Negambo Magistrate and were remanded until July 6. Katunayake Police are investigating.