STF shoots gangland godfather

*Attacked STF officer while trying to flee

*Wanted for murder extortion, rape, weapons sales

Notorious underworld figure Mohammed Azmin alias ‘Mamazmi’ was shot dead by Special Task Force (STF) personnel early yesterday morning in Borella.

Mamazmi was wanted in connection with a number of crimes, including murder, extortion, rape, drug dealing, and illegal weapons sales.

The STF, Maligawatte Police and the Colombo Crimes Division of the Police launched a number of raids earlier to capture him. He is said to have disguised himself on several occasions and had used three separate identity cards to escape detection, according to police.

He is also said to have worn women’s attire sometimes and had appeared in public wearing clothes worn by Muslim ladies on several occasions, according to sources.

Although he resided in the Eppelwatte area in Maligawatte he is said to have owned several houses in other areas.

Mamazmi was arrested during a raid conducted by the STF. STF personnel had then taken him in a jeep where he was to reveal more weapons hidden by him.

At this point, he had allegedly attacked the STF officer driving the jeep and had tried to strangle him in a bid to escape, forcing other STF personnel in the vehicle to open fire.

This confrontation had taken place in a road adjoining the BMICH. An injured STF officer was admitted to hospital. Mamazmi is a close associate of underworld leader Fari, who was killed sometime back. He is said to have operated a gang with a large number of associates working under him. About two years back, Mamazmi’s brother Mohammed Rasooldeen, another underworld character, had been killed in confrontation with a police team led by head of the Maligawatte Police Rohan Perera. The Police had information that Mamazmi had protection from several prominent people including a parliamentarian and two Municipal Council members. The Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 1 million for anyone who could provide reliable information on the whereabouts of this underworld leader.