German national acquitted from ecstasy pills, cocaine case

Colombo , October 8 (Daily Mirror) -The Colombo High Court acquitted and discharged Ronald Daniel Gomaz, a Sri Lankan born German national, from two charges of possession of 3,500 ecstasy pills and 40 grams of cocaine. 

The Attorney General indicted the accused before the Colombo High Court after a team of Custom officers led by the Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Gnanaraj arrested the accused on May 24, 2017 and detected 3,500 ecstasy pills and 40 grams of cocaine valued at Rs. 12 million at a Galle passenger baggage warehouse. 

The prosecution mainly relied on the confession made by the accused to the Custom officers admitting his guilt and as the defence challenged the voluntariness of the confession at the voir diar inquiry, the prosecution later informed court that they would rely on the confession. As there are many serious contradictions and as the prosecution has not proved the chain of custody, High Court judge Adithya Patabendige decided to acquit and discharge the accused without calling the defense. 

Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu appeared for the accused with Counsel Sahan Weerasinghe.