An investigation into the assets and liabilities of all officers of the Narcotics Bureau has been launched following revelations that the vessel monitoring system (VMS) of the Police Narcotics Bureau was accessed and its information provided to drug traffickers, Sri Lanka Latest News reports.
The Police Special Investigation Bureau (PSIB) has initiated inquiries into the matter under the direct instructions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya.
The Police Headquarters further stated that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has also commenced a special investigation, following orders from the IGP, concerning the unauthorized access to the VMS and the dissemination of its information to drug traffickers.
The VMS, operated by the Narcotics Bureau, monitors multi-day fishing vessels and boats transporting drug consignments. Investigations have revealed that 57 different IP addresses had accessed the system, and the sensitive information has fallen into the hands of drug traffickers.
The VMS has historically enabled the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Navy to seize large quantities of drugs brought into the country on multiple occasions. However, it has now been revealed that, in the past, confidential information from the system had also reached drug traffickers, resulting in the alteration of routes and vessels to evade law enforcement.
In response, the PIN numbers for the system have been changed to prevent external access. Currently, only the Deputy Inspector General and the Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau have authorization to access the VMS.
A senior police officer stated that, historically, a majority of the Police Narcotics Bureau officers had access to the system, and confidential information had been compromised to drug traffickers.
It is suspected that drug traffickers have been smuggling narcotics into the island by bypassing naval bases, using intelligence obtained from corrupt officers. As a result, five Sub-Inspectors of the Police Narcotics Bureau, found to have connections with drug traffickers, have been immediately transferred.
The investigation revealed that these five officers had not performed their duties properly and had not actively contributed to drug raids.
The Police Narcotics Bureau currently employs over 400 officers, and the assets and liabilities reports of more than 20 officers have already been collected.
A senior officer stated that any officers found to have suspicious assets or liabilities will be immediately removed from the Bureau. He further emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty following an investigation.
Police sources also confirmed that new officers will be recruited to the Police Narcotics Bureau in the future. Their assets and liabilities reports will be obtained, and they will be called for interviews to ensure transparency and accountability.
