In continuation of the special island-wide operation ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) to crack down on narcotics, Sri Lankan security forces have arrested scores of more suspects in a 24-hour mission ending at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday (Dec.23).

The Ministry of Public Security said a total of 1,676 suspects were arrested during this period.

Financial asset investigations have been initiated on 45 suspects and 112 individuals have been sent for rehabilitation. Additionally, detention orders were secured against 119 suspects.

The drugs impounded during the special island-wide operations include:

• 692g of heroin
• 393g of methamphetamine (‘Ice’)
• 42.1kg of Cannabis
• 20,615 narcotic pills 
• 235,680 Cannabis plants
• 534g of Hash
• 11kg of ‘Mawa’

Since the special raids were kicked off under the operation ‘Yukthiya’ on December 17, the security forces personnel have made more than 11,500 arrests and seized large consignments of narcotics.

Meanwhile, the Illegal Assets and Properties Investigation Division of the police have confiscated assets worth millions of rupees belonging to notorious criminal figures and drug traffickers.

-adaderana