Gang robbing cash, jewellery, mobile phones:

Special investigation launched in Central Province

Officers attached to the Central Province Senior DIGs office have launched a special investigation to nab an organized gang responsible for robbing cash, jewellery and mobile phones from commuters in long distance buses after enticing them with soft drinks and toffees laced with drugs and preying on them once they get into a hallucination.

A 20-year-old youth from Rattota who had been a victim of the gang while travelling in a Colombo-Matale bus is now receiving treatment for a drug related illness at the Matale base hospital.

The youth had told Police that a person pretending to be a security forces member befriended him at Yakkala and offered him a toffee in the bus and after consuming it he fell unconscious.

When he regained consciousness a chain worth Rs 45,000 he was wearing and his mobile phone was missing along with the person who befriended him. Police have warned bus commuters to beware of strangers who try to befriend them during their journey to avoid falling into such difficulties and traps.