Herath Mudiyanselage Prabath Madushanka, alias ‘Barrel Sanka’, was arrested with 5 grams and 780 milligrams of heroin in Wattala by the Police Special Task Force (STF) on Monday night, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasakara said.
He is an underworld figure suspected of being involved in a heroin distribution racket among various other criminal activities. The 24-year-old youth, a resident of Peliyagoda, is to be produced at the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court.
Peliyagoda Police is conducting further investigations.Meanwhile, when asked if there was political pressure being imposed on the police for the release of a suspect believed to be a close associate of Madush, an underworld gang leader, the Police Spokesman said no such pressure was being put on the police and investigations were currently underway.
The three suspects were arrested on Sunday in the Midigama, Weligama area in connection with several murders in the Southern and Western provinces. In addition the three suspects were also allegedly involved in extortion and heroin dealing. Of the three powerful underworld figures who were arrested, one is said to be a close ally of Madush and it was reported that a prominent politician was pressuring the police to have him released.