STF arrests man with cache of controlled drugs worth Rs. 100mn

The Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a man who was in possession of a large cache of controlled drugs without a valid licence.

The arrest was made on Friday (Feb.02) in Enderamulla, Wattala, as part of the ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ island-wide operation to crack down on drug distribution and criminal offences.

According to the STF, the 40-year-old was taken into custody with 192,000 capsules of 150mg Pregabalin worth approximately Rs. 100 million.

The suspect, who hails from Badulla, has been handed over to the Enderamulla Police for onward investigations.

Meanwhile, under the ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ operation, the police and security forces personnel have arrested another 770 suspects within the 24-hour window that ended at 12.30 a.m. today (Feb.03).

Among the arrestees are 567 suspects who were taken into custody on narcotics-related charges and 203 others who were on the list of wanted criminal suspects.

Detention orders have been secured against 6 of the drug suspects, while another 2 were referred to rehabilitation centres, the Ministry of Public Security said.

According to the ministry, the narcotics taken into custody during this period include 132g of heroin, 121g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), 15.9kg of cannabis and 5,416 cannabis plants.