November 09, Colombo (LNW): Swift coordination between military intelligence and law enforcement agencies has resulted in two major operations uncovering large-scale narcotics and illegal forest product trafficking in the south of the island, officials confirmed yesterday.
Acting on intelligence provided by the Sri Lanka Army, officers from the Colombo Organised Crimes Division carried out a decisive raid in the Mitiyagoda–Godagama area on November 08.
The operation led to the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of 5.42 kilogrammes of heroin, with an estimated street value of around Rs. 75 million. Investigators also recovered more than Rs. 10.8 million in cash believed to be linked to the drug trade.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while the Galle District Anti-Narcotics Unit has taken over the investigation.
In a separate operation conducted in the Kotapola area of Matara, Army Intelligence officers teamed up with Deniyaya Wildlife officials to intercept a group suspected of smuggling wallapatta (Gyrinops walla), a rare and highly valuable fragrant wood used in the production of agarwood. Three residents of Deniyaya were arrested with 110.45 kilogrammes of wallapatta, worth an estimated Rs. 662 million.
Authorities believe both incidents are linked to broader organised networks engaged in illegal resource extraction and drug trafficking. Security sources said the operations underscore the growing importance of intelligence-led policing and inter-agency cooperation in dismantling such criminal enterprises.
Further inquiries are underway to trace the origins of the confiscated goods and identify additional suspects connected to both rackets.
