Woman in hot soup for smuggling Coconut Sambol laced with toxic drug for husband in remand

By Dayaratne Embogama – Anuradhapura

A 25-year-old woman from Sucharithagama, Anuradhapura, was arrested by prison authorities after attempting to smuggle a psychoactive drug into the Anuradhapura prison, concealed in a lunch parcel intended for her remanded husband.

The woman had prepared a meal with coconut Sambol as a side dish, in which she had crushed and mixed the pharmaceutical drug, commonly abused by addicts as a narcotic substitute due to its toxic effects. Her husband is currently in remand on drug peddling charges.

Prison officers grew suspicious when she delivered the parcel during a visit and decided to inspect it. Upon tasting the Sambol, they detected an unusual flavour, prompting a deeper investigation. It was soon discovered that the meal had been laced with the drug.

The woman was arrested on the spot and handed over to the police. She is expected to be produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate. The police, led by HQI R. M. Jayaweera, are conducting further investigations into the incident.