Explosives found at abandoned H’tota meth lab, suspected ICE chemicals in Tangalle

Monday, 8 September 2025 04:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Police yesterday recovered explosives and ammunition from a property in Middeniya Thalawa, Hambantota, where chemicals linked to crystal methamphetamine (ICE) production had earlier been seized.

Officers of the Western Province North Crimes Division, supported by the Special Task Force, discovered five foreign-made hand grenades, 17 rounds of T-56 ammunition, and three 12-bore cartridges.

The cache was hidden in a freshly dug pit near a manioc cultivation on the property, Police said.

Separately, Police in Tangalle uncovered a stock of chemicals believed to be used in the manufacture of ICE during a raid in Netolpitiya yesterday.

Officers searched a property near the Welivenna junction following a tip-off from residents and found several containers of white substances. Investigators said the materials appeared similar to chemicals seized earlier this year in Middeniya, which were also suspected to be intended for the production of ICE.

Preliminary inquiries suggest the chemicals may have been stored at the site for about four months. The stock has been taken into custody and transferred to Tangalle Police for further examination.