2 January 2024 12:00 am Views - 85
By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya
Police Illegal Assets and Properties Investigation Division has confiscated assets worth Rs. 558.5 million belonging to notorious criminals and drug traffickers as part of the ongoing island-wide operation ‘Yukthiya’.
These properties include vehicles, lands and houses.
The Public Security Ministry said that 189 suspects are under investigation related to illegal assets, resulting in the confiscation of properties.
Earlier, Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon said that steps will be taken to confiscate all property and wealth earned illegally through drug smuggling and underworld activities within the next three months.
Accordingly, the Police with the assistance of the STF have launched an island-wide crack-down on drug smugglers and criminals on December 17, 2023.
The Ministry said the operation ‘Yukthiya’ led to the arrest of 22,026 suspects within a span of 15 days.
The operation resulted in the confiscation of narcotics with an estimated value
exceeding Rs. 858 million.
Of the total suspects apprehended, 1,114 individuals are now under further investigation based on
detention orders.
Also, 1,338 drug addicts have been directed to rehabilitation centres.
The Ministry said that the public played a crucial role, with 10,798 calls providing information about drug-related activities.
In parallel, a total of 1,725 suspects out of 4,584 individuals listed as island re-convicted criminals were also arrested.
The Public Security Ministry said this extensive operation not only disrupted drug trafficking activities but also tackled the financial underpinnings of criminal enterprises.