2023-12-25 10:21:43
Police in the island nation of Sri Lanka have arrested more than 14,000 people in a nationwide raid for suspected drug trafficking. A police spokesman said today that the arrests, which have been made for a week, affect people who are said to have sold or consumed the banned substances.
Some people have now been released on bail – to prevent overcrowding in prisons, it was said. However, their personal information has been recorded and they will have to appear in court later.
Transshipment point for international drug trafficking
The government in Colombo called for an investigation because the narcotics business has been booming in Sri Lanka for years. According to police, the tropical island paradise south of India is also an international drug trafficking center. Most of the substances are smuggled into the country by sea, where children themselves consume them. Cannabis is also grown domestically.
According to official figures, there are currently more than 25,000 people in prison in connection with drug trafficking – an offense that can be punished with death. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe granted amnesty to more than 1,000 prisoners this Christmas. These mainly included people who were unable to pay outstanding fines and were therefore in prison.
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