Former Local Council Member Among Four Arrested with 1,597 Kg of Beedi Leaves
Four individuals, including a former member of the Nattandiya Pradeshiya Sabha, have been arrested by the Toduwawa Police with a consignment of 1,597 kilograms and 200 grams of beedi leaves.
A lorry and a boat allegedly used to transport the contraband were also taken into police custody.
The arrests were made during a raid conducted on information received by the Officer-in-Charge of the Toduwawa Police Station, while the consignment was being loaded onto a lorry for transportation.
Preliminary investigations have revealed information regarding an alleged smuggling operation in which beedi leaves were brought from waters close to India and landed in Sri Lanka.
Information has also surfaced regarding the involvement of a boat owner from the Kalpitiya area in the operation. According to preliminary findings, the skipper of a boat was allegedly paid Rs. 100,000, while the assistant was paid Rs. 50,000 for each trip.
The smuggled beedi leaves were reportedly transported mainly to the Negombo area.
The arrested former council member had reportedly been involved in political activities with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna during the latter part of his political career.
The raid was carried out by a team of officers from the Toduwawa Police Station, led by its Officer-in-Charge, Eranjan Dasanayake, under the direction of Chilaw Senior Superintendent of Police Rohan Perera and the supervision of Nattandiya Assistant Superintendent of Police Dhammika Hapugoda.
Police investigations into the incident are continuing.
-Prasad Purnamal
