Police officer arrested on narcotics charges

• Suspect alleged to have linked to narcotics traffickers, to be held 7 days on detention orders

By Asiri Fernando

A 43-year-old Police Inspector serving at the Anuradhapura Crimes Division was arrested yesterday over alleged links to narcotics traffickers.

According to Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana, the suspect is due to be produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court, where the Police will seek to hold him for seven days on a detention order. 

Addressing the media, DIG Rohana said that the suspect, the latest in a string of law enforcement officers arrested for having links to narcotics traffickers over the last two years, was found in possession of five mobile phones which the Police suspect were used to aid and assist drug trafficking.

A digital forensic investigation into the phones and their records are being conducted, the Police said.  

Thirteen law enforcement officers who were serving in the Police Narcotics Bureau were arrested last year for having links with narcotics traffickers and aiding and abiding the narcotic trade, following investigations into a drug bust. 

Several other Police officers, including one Special Task Force (STF) member, were arrested in the following investigations. Illegal firearms, money, vehicles and property belonging to the arrested officers, suspected to have been bought with criminal proceedings, were also seized.