Army to step up efforts to combat illegal drug menace

The Sri Lanka Army is to set up its efforts in combating the illegal drug menace in Sri Lanka. Commencing a special program last year, teams deployed by the Army nabbed 981 suspects linked to the drug trade from across the country.

The Army said it seized 715 kg of Kerala cannabis, 685 kg of local cannabis, 1 kg of heroin, and 13 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) during random search operations conducted by the soldiers in the battalion levels belonging to Security Forces Headquarters located islandwide.

“In addition to that, a considerable amount of kush and hashish drugs were also seized while 831 suspects were apprehended. Furthermore, 28,000 litres of illegally produced liquor and 57 bottles of foreign liquor along with 89 suspects were also nabbed,” the Army said in a release. Illegal cigarettes, illegal drugs in tablet form and cannabis-mixed aphrodisiacs were also among the haul seized by the Army last year.

The Army said the nabbed drugs and suspects were handed over to the Police to initiate necessary legal action under the provisions of the Dangerous Drug Ordinance.