Nearly 100 youths who arrived in Sri Pada through the Hatton route have been arrested on suspicion of carrying narcotics in their possession during the pilgrimage within the last month, and produced before the court, the Hatton Police Superintendent said.

Hatton Police Superintendent Chulani Weeraratne said that since the pilgrimage season started on the 24-30 December 2019, 98 persons who had arrived in Sri Pada through the Hatton route were arrested for bringing drugs with them. The suspects have been produced before the Hatton Magistrate Court and fines have been imposed on the suspects, according to the official.

Hatton Police Anti-Vice squad, Hatton Police Division K-9 Unit, Hatton Police Division Intelligence Unit, and Police officers carried out search operations at Ginigathhena Diyagala, Hatton Railway Station, and Hatton Bus Stand to arrest people who bring drugs on the pilgrimage.

The suspects have been taken into custody along with heroin, ‘ice’ (crystal methamphetamine), hashish, Kerala ganja, and other intoxicants (madana modaka), Police said.

It is prohibited to carry drugs and alcohol on the Sri Pada pilgrimage. However, search operations are being conducted to arrest the violators.

Accordingly, separate Police operations have been launched at Ginigathhena, Watawala, Norton Bridge, Nallathanniya, Maskeliya, Norwood, Bogawanthalawa, and Hatton areas within the Hatton Police Division.

In addition, special Police teams have been deployed throughout the day and night to apprehend those who carry narcotics on the Sri Pada pilgrimage, the Police Superintendent said.

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