Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne yesterday allowed the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) to detain and question the nine Iranian nationals who were arrested over a stock of over 100 kilogrammes of heroin worth over Rs.1 billion in the seas off the Southern Coast.
Police Narcotics Bureau sources informed court that they had ascertained that the trawler belonged to an Iranian. The PNB further stated that the suspects were arrested 10.5 nautical miles off Akurala, Galle.
The PNB further stated that they will take necessary steps to record statements from the suspects with the assistance of translators from the Iranian Embassay.
PNB sources told court that the suspects cannot speak and understand English.
“A stock of over 100 Kilogrammes of heroin worth over Rs.1 billion was seized from the trawler and they believed that another stock of some 500 Kilogrammes of heroin had been dumped at sea before the officers raided the trawler,” the PNB added. The PNB also stated that they recovered mobile phones and satellite phones which were in the posession of the the Iranian Nationals.
The PNB further stated that they are carrying out a special inspection regarding the trawler which is currently docked at the Colombo Harbour.
The Magistrate allowed the nine suspects to be detained till March 29.
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Court orders to detain heroin smugglers (14:32)
The Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne allowed the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) to detain and question the nine Iranian nationals who were arrested over a stock of over 100Kg of heroin worth over Rs.1 billion in the seas off the Southern Coast.
Police Narcotics Bureau informed the court that they had revealed the trawler belonged to the Iran. PNB further stated tha the suspects were arrested 10.5 nautical miles off Akurala, Galle.
PNB further stated that they will take necessary steps to record statements from the suspects with the assistance of the translators from the Iranian Embassayusing the help of Embassy of Iran.
The Magistrate allowed to detained the nine suspects till March 29.
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