|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 6 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Security | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Entry points surveillance enhanced by Sarath Malalasekera Customs Director General Sarath Jayatilleke has ordered his men to strengthen all entry points to the country to prevent the smuggling of hard drugs. Special Customs teams will be deployed in these areas to arrest all heroin traffickers and to be on the alert for the entry of heroin. Surveillance by the Customs Narcotics Control Unit (CNCU) have been enhanced at all entry points, namely the Bandaranaike International Airport, Port of Colombo and Parcel Post sections. According to Customs Assistant Director Mali Piyasena, in charge of the Customs Narcotics Control Unit, there have been several cases of internal "indigestion" of heroin arriving from the Golden Crescent areas. The Customs has detected large consignments of hashish coming into the country during the early part of the year. Increase surveillance by the Customs is expected to have an impact on the illicit trafficking of heroin and other substances, said Customs Baggage and Narcotics Director S. Ramachandran. According to the information available to the Customs, this year's production of opium in Afghanistan is expected to reach an all-time high. It is reported that around 4,200 tons of opium is produced in Afghanistan. It amounts to almost seventy five per cent of the world production. The production of opium in the Golden Triangle has dropped. Ten kilos of opium is needed to produce a kilo of heroin. The production of heroin in the Golden Crescent is expected to be reduced to 400 tons. Earlier, Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando also directed his men to strengthen the entry points to the country. Day/night patrols by police have been intensified in coastal areas to monitor movements of hard drug traffickers. According to the available evidence and investigations, most hard drugs come to the country through the sea from India. To combat the increasing hard drug menace, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) is planning to set up a new PNB office in Manner District. A Rapid Development Unit (RDU) will also be set up with the assistance of the Special Task Force (STF) in order to apprehend drug smugglers and large scale traffickers, PNB Director added. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
