Police investigating the detection of two container loads of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ICE) in the Middeniya areas, yesterday (22), found 245 kilos of heroin and 380 kilos of ice in three trucks at Seenimodera, Tangalle.
Police also recovered five brand new pistols and one T-56 assault rifle, a senior police officer said.
Police stated that one of the trucks had been parked near a house at Seenimodera where two bodies were found earlier in the day. Sources said that initially, the police visited the Seenimodera house after a person, who had been admitted to the Tangalle hospital, died of poisoning
Police Spokesman ASP and Attorney-at-Law F. U. Wootler said three persons had died after consuming liquor at the Seenimodera house where they recovered 10 kg of what was suspected to be ICE.
Of the three trucks, the one with about 200 kilos was found near a house on the Tangalle-Godella Kadurupokuna road.
The Police launched a major investigation after several wanted persons, including Kehelbaddara Padme, arrested by Indonesian authorities and extradited to Colombo, revealed the existence of a network trying to set up makeshift ICE manufacturing plants in several parts of the country.
Over the weekend, police raided a small hotel, in the Weligama area, where they took into custody a young man from Malta along with paraphernalia used to make ICE.
Police said that Sampath Manamperi, who surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court, was cooperating with investigators.
Police also found 115 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one hand grenade, one magazine, one gold plated weapon and some explosives buried in the garden of a woman living in Middeniya .
By Norman Palihawadana
