Police have launched an investigation into a leaked audio recording that went viral on social media on Sunday, allegedly featuring a group call among several Sri Lankan drug kingpins based overseas.

The 20-minute audio clip is said to involve Dubai-based drug trafficker Russell Smith, underworld figure Rueben, Gamage Saranga Pradeep alias ‘Welle Saranga’, a notorious organised criminal and large-scale narcotics dealer and notorious underworld figure and narcotics dealer Lal Peiris alias ‘Kudu Lal’, operating from the UK.

According to police, the recording contains an alleged conversation in which Smith is heard instructing others to mobilise their local henchmen in Sri Lanka to assault citizens of the United Arab Emirates visiting the country, purportedly as an act of revenge following ill-treatment claimed by Saranga while in the custody of UAE narcotics authorities.

Saranga, who was recently released by UAE drug enforcement officials after his urine tests reportedly yielded negative results, is heard in the recording claiming that he was subjected to severe assault while in custody. In response, Russell Smith is alleged to have suggested retaliatory attacks on UAE nationals visiting Sri Lanka, urging his associates to motivate their local operatives to carry out such assaults.

Police said attention has been drawn to the serious nature of the alleged threats, particularly in view of their potential implications for public safety and Sri Lanka’s international relations. Investigations are under way to verify the authenticity of the recording and to identify all individuals involved in the call.

Russell Smith is described by police as a major drug trafficker who operates several narcotics distribution networks, with a primary focus on the Mount Lavinia and Ratmalana areas. He was arrested in Dubai in 2023. Investigators have said Russell Smith is a close associate of Kudu Lal before emerging as a major distributor in his own right with the backing of several underworld leaders.

Reuben, another individual heard in the audio clip, is a notorious underworld kingpin, currently residing in France. Police said he was a former LTTE cadre who had facilitated links between Russell Smith and underworld elements operating in the Northern Province.

Meanwhile, police confirmed that several weeks ago a police sergeant, attached to the Udappuwa Police, had been arrested for allegedly distributing narcotics on behalf of Russell Smith. The arrest was made by officers of the Western Province North Crimes Division.

The suspect sergeant was taken into custody with 400 g of heroin in his possession. Investigations have revealed that the officer had previously served for nearly five years with the Colombo Crimes Division. Acting on information elicited from the arrested sergeant, police also apprehended another suspect, identified as ‘Chathu’, a resident of Peliyagoda, in possession of 110 grams of heroin.

Police said further investigations were continuing to dismantle the international narcotics network and to take legal action against all those connected to the alleged conspiracy.

By Norman Palihawadane