IGP wants to get at drug lords and not addicts

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya recently stated that it is more appropriate to apprehend and bring drug suppliers to justice rather than focusing solely on arresting individuals who use drugs.

Weerasooriya that drug networks and suppliers had already been identified and steps were being taken to neutralise them. The IGP said that significant raids had been conducted recently and some Sri Lankans residing abroad were involved in smuggling drugs into the country via boats. He added that the Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with Maldivian security forces, had carried out a successful raid, and efforts were underway to bring the suspects taken into custody to Sri Lanka.

The IGP also stated that a new mechanism had been introduced to encourage the general public to provide confidential information regarding drugs. Regional Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) and senior officers below them had been notified, and the public could share information through the hotline 1997.

The acting IGP said that some suspects of homicide too had fled the country and the police were keeping tabs on them, with steps being taken to apprehend and bring them back to Sri Lanka.