Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with yesterday’s (19)
discovery of a cocaine haul estimated to be worth around Rs. 3.2
billion, Police said.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that the cocaine haul was
detected by employees of Lanka Sathosa, whilst the supplies were being
loaded off the truck.
“A tender bid for sugar supplies, was called on July 18 by CWE (Sathosa)
and a private sector sugar supplier called Ranjitha Traders was
selected on the same day due to their fulfilment of specified tender
criteria.”
“The qualified Ranjitha Traders thereafter has despatched this sugar
container to CWE warehouse at Ratmalana Economic Centre,” a statement
said.
The Ministry said that the country of origin of the container is Brazil
and that upon arrival of the container to Colombo Port, the container
was taken to Orugodawatta Container Terminal Yard was inspected and
re-sealed.
Lanka Sathosa employees received the container fully sealed, it said.
“They opened the container and began unloading contents from the
container (placed on the private owned container transport vehicle) and
loading the cargo to CWE goods-lorry.”
“Moments later Lanka Sathosa employees who were transferring cargo from
container to CWE lorry detected the unusual parcel inside the container,
stopped their work and immediately informed Mt. Lavinia Police of the
suspicious cargo.”
Mt. Lavinia Police yesterday (19) reported that the quantity discovered was around 160 kg.
However, Police today (20) confirmed that the total cocaine stash weighed 218.6 kg and was worth over Rs. 3.2 billion.
The suspects will reportedly be transferred to the custody of the Narcotics Prevention Bureau for onward legal action.
