Ten suspects, including alleged members of an organised crime gang, were arrested with a live hand grenade, crystal methamphetamine and edged weapons in a special operation by the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau early on Tuesday.
The raids were carried out across Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala and Angulana. Officers recovered a live hand grenade, 35 grams of crystal methamphetamine — commonly known as “ice” — and five swords. Eight of the suspects are alleged associates of an organised crime figure and drug trafficker believed to be operating from overseas, police said.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 56, are residents of Angulana, Moratuwa and Ratmalana. Investigators say some of them are linked to a sharp-weapons attack in the Dehiwala area earlier this year that left several people seriously injured.
Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau is continuing inquiries to identify additional gang associates and to trace the overseas-based principal believed to be coordinating the network from abroad.
The operation lands as Sri Lanka Police continues a sustained push against suburban organised-crime networks operating between the western Colombo–Kalutara belt and overseas safe havens. It follows the broader anti-narcotics drive that the President said had generated more than 186,000 arrests and seized nearly two tonnes of heroin since the campaign was scaled up.
