Drugs found floating off Rekawa coast, linked to ‘Dehibale’
Investigations have revealed that the large cache of drugs found floating off the Rekawa coast in Tangalle belongs to a notorious underworld figure known as “Dehibale.”
This was uncovered following the interrogation of 05 suspects arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF).
The suspects, aged from 24 – 56 years, are residents of Dondra, Sultanagoda, and Gandara areas.
Police have also seized over 19g of ICE (Crystal Methamphetamine), a 40-horsepower boat, a car, a motorcycle, and 05 mobile phones in their possession.
The suspects were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) – Kotawila, for further investigations under the supervision of DIG Ashoka Dharmasena of the PNB.
On Oct. 15), the Sri Lanka Navy recovered a total of 840 kilograms of illegal drugs in 51 packages floating near the Rekawa beach, which included over 670 kilograms of ICE, 156 kilograms of heroin, and around 12 kilograms of hashish.
The PNB produced the recovered consignment before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Oct. 16).
Upon request, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama ordered the stock to be sent to the Government Analyst for testing and an official report.
Meanwhile, local fishermen have reported unusual incidents involving stray dogs after the narcotics were brought ashore at the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour.
The dogs were seen behaving abnormally from the evening of Oct. 15, leading residents to suspect that they may have ingested seawater laced with traces of drugs during unloading.
02 of the dogs have since gone missing, and a PHI from the Tangalle MOH Office inspected the site yesterday (Oct. 16).
He advised locals to avoid approaching the animals, while veterinary authorities have been alerted to conduct further examinations.
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