The CID has found a foreign-manufactured pistol and a large cache of ammunition, acting on information elicited from a detained organised crime suspect, ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’.

‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, who was brought to Sri Lanka from Indonesia, is currently being held under a detention order for further investigations.

During questioning by officers of the CID’s Commercial Crimes Investigation Division, the suspect revealed that a firearm and other property, belonging to him, had been concealed in Sri Lanka by another organised criminal, who is currently overseas.

Acting on the information, CID officers, with assistance from the Special Task Force (Kelaniya Camp), searched a temporary structure, located on an access road, between Ederamulla and the Colombo–Kandy main road.

Police recovered a foreign-made pistol, two T-56 ammunition magazines and 267 rounds of T-56 ammunition. Further investigations are ongoing.

By Norman Palihawadane

Another trawler, valued at over Rs. 50 million, allegedly belonging to Sehan Sathsara (Dehi Bale), who is described as a leading drug trafficker in the country, has been taken into custody by the Police Illegal Assets Investigation Unit.

With this seizure, authorities have now moved to confiscate a total of five multi-day fishing vessels (trawlers) valued at more than Rs. 250 million, which are alleged to have been purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking by the suspect, known as Dehi Bale.

The trawler, named Melina-4, was taken into custody by officers of the Illegal Assets Investigation Unit when it arrived at the Dondra Fisheries Harbour on Tuesday evening after deep-sea fishing operations. Steps were subsequently taken to vest the vessel in the State.

Just a few days earlier, four other multi-day fishing vessels, belonging to Dehi Bale, were confiscated. Investigations are continuing into several other properties allegedly purchased using funds obtained through drug trafficking. A senior police officer said that steps would be taken to confiscate those assets as well in due course.

By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

A 44-year-old man was fined Rs. 70,000 by the Kalutara Magistrate yesterday for keeping a baby crocodile illegally in his possession, Wildlife Officials said.

The convict, a resident of Kaluwamodara, Aluthgama, was arrested by officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, following information received by the Hikkaduwa National Park Headquarters. The Magistrate imposed the fine after considering the facts presented by Wildlife Officers.

The court also directed the Attidiya Wildlife Veterinary Unit to take custody of the baby crocodile, release it into a suitable natural habitat and submit a report on the matter.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, crocodiles are strictly protected reptiles under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, and the possession, capture or trade of the species, without official permission, is a punishable offence.

Wildlife authorities said investigations had revealed a growing trend of individuals illegally keeping baby crocodiles to display them to foreign tourists and earn money.

The Department said Wildlife Officers are continuing regular raids after surveillance operations to identify and apprehend offenders involved in such illegal activities, while urging the public to report incidents of wildlife exploitation to the relevant authorities.