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Sri Lanka cracks down on organized crime and drug trafficking
Sri Lankan authorities have reported significant progress in combating organized crime and drug trafficking. Since September 21, 2024, 66 suspects linked to these activities have been repatriated to the country, 28 of whom were subject to Interpol red notices.
Investigations into 113 cases have led to the freezing of assets totaling approximately Rs. 6 billion. This includes Rs. 5,423 million belonging to 102 drug trafficking suspects and Rs. 209 million tied to three organized crime figures. The seized assets comprise 2 kilograms of gold, 136 acres of land, 55 houses, and 142 vehicles.
In a separate major operation at Colombo Port, police seized 463 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, known as ‘ice’, valued at over Rs. 8 billion. The drugs were discovered hidden among a shipment of towels that had arrived from Pakistan.
Regarding public health, officials from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board noted that while illegal drugs appear to be becoming harder to obtain in some regions, there is a rising demand for rehabilitation services. Experts estimate that alcohol and drug consumption is associated with 80 to 100 deaths daily in Sri Lanka.
Entities
Colombo Port · Interpol · National Dangerous Drugs Control Board · Rajarata University · Sri Lanka · Sri Lanka Police
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 66 suspects linked to organized crime and drug trafficking have been repatriated to Sri Lanka since September 21, 2024. www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Alcohol and drug consumption is estimated to be associated with 80 to 100 deaths daily in Sri Lanka. lankanewsweb.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Investigations into 113 cases have resulted in the freezing of assets worth approximately Rs. 6 billion. www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities have detected indications that illegal drugs are becoming harder to obtain in parts of Sri Lanka. lankanewsweb.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Frozen assets include over 2 kilograms of gold, 136 acres of land, 55 houses, and 142 vehicles. www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rs. 5,423 million of the frozen assets belong to 102 drug trafficking suspects. www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Of the 66 repatriated suspects, 28 had Interpol red notices issued against them. www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rs. 209 million in assets belong to three organized crime figures. www.newswire.lk