Two Army personnel arrested for drug trafficking

By Asiri Fernando

The Sri Lanka Military Police has launched a disciplinary investigation in to two army soldiers involved in narcotics trafficking, with Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva ordering disciplinary action against the two. 

Both suspects will be produced before the Horana Magistrate and the Police are seeking Court approval to detain them for questioning, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said at a press conference yesterday.  

The Central Anti-Vice Strike Force in an intelligence-led operation arrested two army soldiers on Wednesday (24 February) night in possession of 45.3 kgs of the narcotic heroin in Horana. A van the two suspects were traveling in, which is being used by the Army on rental basis, was also been taken in to custody. The vehicle belongs to the Army Mechanised Infantry Regiment based in Dambulla, the Army said. 

DIG Rohana said the driver of the vehicle, a resident of Polonnaruwa, was in uniform and is a soldier stationed at an Army formation in Dambulla.  “The second suspect is an Army Lance Corporal who had deserted,” he explained. 

The Police suspect that the two were affiliated to a major organised crime group involved in trafficking and distribution of narcotics, with its ring leaders overseas. According to the Army, the deserter had not reported for duties two months. 

“The two suspects are alleged to have picked up the narcotics near the Imaduwa entrance to the expressway,” DIG Rohana said, adding that the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) was conducting further investigations.  

“We suspect that the two Army soldiers were sub-contracted to move the narcotics between two points. They are likely not members of the organised criminal group. Over the last two years, we have arrested 14 key narcotics ‘king pings’; they are behind bars, but new groups emerge to replace them. However, we are always vigilant,” DIG Rohana claimed, urging the public to continue providing information regarding criminal groups.

1,610 kgs of heroin had been taken in to custody by the Police and other law enforcement agencies last year, DIG Ajith Rohana added. 

The Military Police have begun investigation in to the two Army soldiers and their involvement to this matter and will cooperate with law enforcement agencies for their investigations, the Military Spokesman, Brig. Nilantha Premarathna said, adding that the Commander of the Army has directed that the culprits be given the maximum possible punishment in accordance to the legal provisions.

Army personnel who are found to guilty of drug-related charges are dishonourably discharged from the service, Brig. Premarathna told the Daily FT.  Criminal charges against such persons will continue even after they have been discharged from the Army.