An organised crime figure allegedly linked to major narcotics traffickers and multiple shootings was brought back to Sri Lanka on May 10 following a joint operation involving Sri Lankan and Azerbaijani intelligence authorities, police said.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said the 48-year-old Ja-Ela resident was arrested in Azerbaijan during a joint operation conducted by Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence Service and Azerbaijan’s State Security Service. He was escorted home by CID officers and handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division for further investigation.
Police said the suspect maintained links with organised crime and drug trafficking figures including Ganemulla Sanjeewa, Kehelbaddara Padme and Commando Salinda. Investigators allege he coordinated the transport of 100 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine seized by Excise officers on December 6, 2020, while operating from Dubai.
Police further alleged the suspect orchestrated the shooting death of a man in the Grandpass area on December 31, 2023 over a drug trafficking dispute. He was also linked to the July 25, 2024 shooting deaths of a woman allegedly involved in drug trafficking and a three-wheeler driver in the Grandpass police division.
Police said the suspect directed followers to carry out a shooting attack on the house of another organised crime figure in Kandana on December 13, 2024.
The suspect has been detained for 72 hours for questioning while investigations continue. The case marks another extradition success in the wider Rata Ekata anti-narcotics drive, which has seen Sri Lankan authorities pursue fugitive crime figures across multiple jurisdictions.
