Two containers suspected to be carrying a stock of chemicals intended for use in an illegal ‘ice’ (methamphetamine) manufacturing plant being set up in Sri Lanka by notorious criminal Mandinu Padmasiri, alias ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, were taken into custody by the Peliyagoda Crimes Division on Thursday night in the Middeniya-Thalawa area.
The raid was carried out under the supervision of Rohan Olugala, Director of the Peliyagoda Crimes Division, and its OIC Chief Inspector Linton Silva, based on information revealed during questioning of an underworld figure N.N. Prasanga known as ‘Backhoe Saman’.
The containers, hidden on a plot of land, were found to contain the chemicals in question.
Investigations have also been launched following information that part of the chemical stock had already been buried. The seized substances have been handed over to the Government Analyst for testing.
It has been revealed that Padme had planned to establish the ‘ice’ factory in a house in Nuwara Eliya. The house, purchased for Rs. 4 million, was equipped with the necessary facilities for the operation.
Two Pakistani nationals were reportedly collaborating with Padme in setting up the plant and were expected to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly.
The exact quantity of chemicals in the containers has not yet been disclosed. The two containers had been brought into the country on 22 January and later transported to the land at Middeniya, where they were being stored.The investigation is continuing under the supervision of Director Rohan Olugala, with Inspector Linton Silva and his team leading the inquiries.
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu 