Arrested while transporting chemicals

Sandasen MARASINGHE

The Police had arrested a person on Wednesday evening, who was transporting Ammonium Nitrate without a valid licence.

The Weeraketiya Police had arrested the suspect at Katuwewa area in the Weeraketiya Police Division and seized 50 kg of Ammonium Nitrate from his possession. Police said the market value of the consignment was around Rs 25,000 which could be used for the manufacture of explosives. The suspect, a resident of Pannala Road in Mulkirigala had been transporting the chemical on a motorcycle around 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Police had also taken the motorcycle into custody. The suspect had allegedly told the Police that he was transporting the chemical to be used at metal quarries. The Weeraketiya Police had produced the suspect before the Walasmulla Magistrate yesterday. The suspect had been remanded until June 2.