The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered serious lapses in the clearance of a container later linked to a crystal methamphetamine (“Ice”) syndicate operating in Sri Lanka.
Statements have been recorded from senior officials, including the DIG in charge of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and its Director, over the release of the container discovered in Middeniya.
Investigations revealed that the container had been cleared after inspections by both Customs and the PNB. Customs laboratory tests showed no suspicious substances, leading the PNB to issue written approval for its release. However, the CID found that the PNB failed to conduct its own chemical analysis using in-house testing kits.
The breakthrough came after the arrest of a suspect known as Backhoe Saman, who revealed the container’s trail. Authorities say the contents were transported to Wattala and Nuwara Eliya for large-scale drug production.
According to police, a facility in Wattala has already manufactured 14 kilograms of “Ice,” with 10 kilograms purchased by underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme. Pakistani nationals are also believed to have assisted in the operation.
The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and the Government Analyst’s Department have confirmed that the materials recovered from the container were crystal methamphetamine.
