Thursday Jun 25, 2026
Thursday Jun 25, 2026
Thursday, 25 June 2026 06:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
More than Rs. 226 billion worth of narcotic drugs have been seized by law enforcement authorities since the beginning of 2025, with Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday disclosing large-scale recoveries, as well as instances of drug trafficking involving narcotics held in Court custody.
Responding to a question raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake in Parliament, Wijepala said narcotics valued at Rs. 154 billion were recovered during 2025, while seizures worth a further Rs. 72.3 billion were recorded between 1 January and 30 April 2026.
The Minister said authorities recovered 1,571.3 kg of heroin, 14,714 kg of cannabis, 37.9 kg of cocaine, 699 kg of hashish, 2,741 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), 615,000 narcotic capsules, and 3 million tablets during 2025.
During the first four months of 2026, recoveries included 1,189.7 kg of heroin, 3,184 kg of cannabis, 261 kg of cocaine, 1,260 kg of hashish, 779,460 narcotic capsules, and 651,101 tablets.
The Minister also revealed what he described as serious irregularities involving narcotics retained as Court productions and samples submitted to the Government Analyst.
“One instance has been reported from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court where the officer in charge of production items had sold 750 g of heroin. A Court case is pending over the matter,” Wijepala told Parliament.
He said a second incident involved an attempt by an officer attached to the Government Analyst’s Department to sell 250 g of crystal methamphetamine.
Wijepala explained that narcotics recovered by law enforcement agencies are typically retained in Court vaults as production items until legal proceedings are concluded, with access controlled by officers responsible for custody of the exhibits.
He said investigations had revealed that approximately 80,000 kg of various narcotic substances are currently being held pending destruction.
The Minister also disclosed that the Government has spent Rs. 780 million on reward payments to Police officers and other informants who contributed to the detection and recovery of narcotics.
