Orders have been issued under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to prevent the sale, transfer, or disposal of several properties allegedly purchased with money earned through drug trafficking, following investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to the Police, the CID’s Illegal Assets Investigation Division said the case involves suspects from Madupitiya, Mahawila, who are accused of using proceeds from narcotics trafficking to acquire land and houses. 

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the assets include:

• A house under construction and adjoining land in Panadura Mahawila
• A 10.75‑perch plot at Panadura Cross Junction
• Another house under construction in Madupitiya, Panadura

The Police state that evidence indicates the suspects committed offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by attempting to launder illicit earnings through property purchases.

Two female suspects, aged 28 and 53, were arrested on March 13 and April 2, respectively, and produced before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court, where they were remanded. 

Two additional female suspects, relatives already in custody for another drug case, were also produced and remanded until May 13.

The CID added that further investigations are ongoing, with the properties now legally frozen to prevent any transfer or disposal while proceedings continue. (Newswire)

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