Colombo, Sri Lanka – 04 September 2026 – Sri Lankan authorities have dealt a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks with the seizure of a colossal 463 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (Methamphetamine) at the Colombo Port. The massive consignment, reportedly intended for re-export after arriving from a foreign country, was uncovered following a meticulously planned operation. Four individuals, including three foreign nationals, have been arrested in connection with the sophisticated smuggling attempt.
Intelligence-Led Operation Yields Major Success
The operation, which culminated in the dramatic seizure on the afternoon of 31 August 2026, was initiated based on crucial intelligence. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ranmal Kodithuwakku received specific information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicating that a container stored within the port yard contained a significant quantity of illegal narcotics.
Acting swiftly on this tip-off, officers of the Central Crime Investigation Bureau secured a search order from the Aluthgama Magistrate’s Court to inspect the suspicious container. This legal mandate paved the way for a joint enforcement effort.
Joint Forces Uncover Hidden Contraband
The inspection was a collaborative undertaking, bringing together officers from the Central Crime Investigation Bureau, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), and Sri Lanka Customs. Their combined expertise proved critical in dismantling the elaborate concealment method employed by the traffickers.
During the thorough search, the 463 kg of ‘Ice’ were discovered meticulously hidden inside a container declared to be carrying body wipes (towels). This sophisticated layering and concealment technique aimed to evade detection by standard checks, highlighting the organized nature of the illicit operation.
Four Suspects in Custody, Further Investigations Underway
The immediate aftermath of the seizure led to the arrest of a 44-year-old resident of Dematagoda, identified as the individual responsible for facilitating the container’s entry into the country. Further interrogation of this primary suspect quickly uncovered additional links to the drug importation scheme.
Subsequently, three more individuals, all Pakistani nationals aged 33, 36, and 51, were apprehended for their alleged connections to the drug consignment. These arrests underscore the international dimension of drug trafficking operations that often utilize Sri Lanka as a transshipment hub.
The seized drugs, along with all four suspects, have been officially handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau. The PNB is currently conducting extensive further investigations to unravel the full extent of this network, identify other potential accomplices, and trace the origin and ultimate destination of the high-value ‘Ice’ consignment.
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