Police sources revealed that an American intelligence agency had, some time ago, informed Sri Lanka about two containers imported into the country containing substances suspected to be used in the production of “ice” (methamphetamine), which were later found buried in a land at Mideniya, Thalawa, Kariyamaditta.
According to the intelligence information, the container numbers and details had been provided, confirming that these two containers had been shipped from Tehran, Iran, and that they contained a large stock of “ice.”
This intelligence agency operates based in India and has previously provided Sri Lanka with successful leads, police sources confirmed.
It is said that this intelligence was shared either late last year or early this year. At that time, the containers had not yet been cleared from the port. Acting on this, police officials, together with the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), conducted thorough inspections of the containers held under Customs custody. Both Customs and the PNB tested certain powder substances found inside the containers using narcotics detection equipment. However, as the tests did not confirm the presence of drugs or precursor chemicals, the containers were subsequently released. Samples were also referred to the Government Analyst for further testing.
Although the exact contents of the containers were unclear, the intelligence had suggested that they contained over 2,000 kilograms of ice. However, local testing did not detect drugs, and this was reported back to the intelligence agency. The containers were officially released by Customs on January 27 of this year.
A senior police inspector (now attached to Field Force Headquarters) had also informed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), citing the exact numbers, that the containers contained narcotics. This information was passed in August last year by then-Field Force Headquarters commanding officer, now Deputy Inspector General Darshika Kumari.
The IGP had ordered the PNB to investigate further. However, a senior PNB officer claimed they had already received the same intelligence earlier, but upon inspection, nothing was found, so the containers were released. He also stated that the report was false. It was further said that the containers were collected by a businessman named Bas.
Later investigations revealed that the containers had been imported by Kohalbaddera Padme, allegedly bringing in chemicals for ice production. This was uncovered during questioning of Bako Saman, who had been extradited from Indonesia. He revealed that Padme had planned to produce ice in Sri Lanka, even renting a house in Nuwara Eliya for this purpose, and had brought in two Pakistanis to assist. The necessary precursor chemicals were imported from Iran in the said containers, which, after clearance, were transported to Mideniya.
However, during investigations last weekend, when officers of the Western Province North Crimes Division visited Mideniya, the containers had disappeared from their original location. It was discovered that they had been removed by Piyal Senadheera (a former SLPP Pradeshiya Sabha member, now a timber trader) and his brother Sampath Preethi Viraj Manamperi (who contested local elections from Angunukolapelessa).
Further investigations revealed that after media reports about Padme’s alleged ice factory in Nuwara Eliya, the two men had moved the containers to an empty, fenced land, dug pits, and buried the substances. They had even prepared to concrete the site.
When Western Province North Crimes Division officials excavated the site last Friday, they uncovered a large quantity of a white, stone-like substance suspected to be precursor chemicals for ice production. The amount was estimated at around 50,000 kg.
Laboratory tests by experts from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board confirmed that out of 20 samples taken, 5 contained methamphetamine components. Police Media Spokesman SSP & Attorney-at-Law Udaya Kumar Wuddlers confirmed this finding.
All the substances recovered have been secured and sent to the Government Analyst for further chemical examination.
Meanwhile, former Pradeshiya Sabha member Piyal Senadheera was arrested last Saturday (6th) by officers of the Western Province North Crimes Division for involvement in burying the substances. His brother was also targeted in an operation yesterday and is reported to be a former police officer. He had previously been arrested as a suspect in the assassination of TNA MP Raviraj Nadarajah in Narahenpita but was later released. He had served in a VIP security unit at that time. Police reports further state that he was closely associated with several former SLPP ministers and had even functioned as a coordinating secretary for some politicians.
It is also reported that he had connections with the notorious Gajanayake gang.
Meanwhile, in relation to the case, SLPP candidate Piyal Manamperi was ordered by the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court yesterday (7th) to be remanded for 7 days for further questioning.
By Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe – Dinamina
