Colombo, Sep 2: Sri Lankan and US authorities have busted a Pakistan-based narcotics trafficking network and seized around 463 kg of crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated USD 21 million on the international black market, officials said.
The joint operation was launched following intelligence gathered between August 14 and 29 regarding suspicious maritime containers being shipped from Pakistan to Colombo.
Acting on the information, the joint team intercepted a consignment and recovered crystal methamphetamine concealed inside bath towels, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy on Wednesday.
Several suspects, including Pakistani nationals, were arrested in connection with the operation.
The operation was carried out by the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Delhi Country Office in coordination with Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).
The PNB seized approximately 463 kg of crystal methamphetamine, with the drugs estimated to be worth USD 21 million on the black market.
The US Embassy said the operation demonstrated the strength of the US-Sri Lanka partnership in disrupting transnational criminal organisations and tackling networks that allegedly finance terrorism and pose a threat to communities in both countries.
