By Sajeewa Kottage

 The driver of a SLTB bus ‘who had in his possession 143grams of heroin was arrested by the Maho police during a search operation at Ella police check point last morning. The search operation was carried out with the help of sniffer dogs . 

 The 43 year old suspect was a resident of Orugal in Rajangana - Left Bank. Police said the stock of heroin in 273 small balls had been packed in the shape of a parcel of food. However police had opened the parcel on suspicion to find the stock of contraband.   

 The Colombo Anuradhapura bus was retained for further investigations and the passengers provided facilities to continue their journey by another bus.  The suspect was to be produced before the Maho magistrate.   
 A police team under OIC Maho police Chief Inspector Priyantha Jaysiri had carried out the search operation.