By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka Police have identified 112 individuals wanted under Interpol Red Notices who are believed to be living in 13 countries, with arrangements underway to bring them back to Sri Lanka by 2027 to face legal proceedings.
Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler has disclosed the development at a media briefing on Thursday (29), providing an update on the progress of the Government’s “Nation United” (Ratama Ekata) national operation against organised crime and drug trafficking.
He has said legal action would be initiated against the suspects upon their return to Sri Lanka, adding that the individuals were allegedly generating illicit income through drug trafficking.
Authorities are also intensifying efforts to identify and seize assets suspected of being acquired through criminal proceeds. Two specialised police units are conducting investigations into such assets around the clock, ASP Wootler has said.
Rs. 4.7 billion in suspected criminal assets identified
According to figures presented at the briefing, assets worth approximately Rs. 4.7 billion have been identified for acquisition by the State between 2024 and October 28, 2026.
The identified assets were valued at Rs. 1.49 billion in 2024, Rs. 1.549 billion in 2025 and Rs. 1.656 billion during the period up to October 28 this year.
They include gold jewellery, land, vehicles and cash suspected of being linked to criminal proceeds.
The asset investigations form part of broader efforts to disrupt the financial networks sustaining drug trafficking and organised criminal activities.
Narcotics seizures exceed Rs. 249 billion in estimated value
Police have also reported substantial narcotics seizures over the past two years and during 2026 up to the reporting period.
The quantities seized included 4,483 kilogrammes of heroin valued at Rs. 107.942 billion, 7,129 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, valued at Rs. 121.64 billion, and 33,277 kilogrammes of cannabis valued at Rs. 5.293 billion.
A further 333 kilogrammes of cocaine, estimated to be worth Rs. 14.306 billion, was seized during the period.
The combined estimated value of the seized narcotics exceeds Rs. 249 billion, according to the figures presented at the briefing.
ASP Wootler has also outlined the penalties under existing legislation for serious drug-related offences. He has said individuals found guilty of possessing, trafficking, dealing in or manufacturing more than five grammes of Ice, heroin or cocaine could face life imprisonment or the death penalty following proceedings before the High Court.
First year of ‘Nation United’ operation
Launched in October 2025, the ‘Nation United’ operation has completed its first year, during which police have seized 2,835 kilogrammes of heroin, 3,550 kilogrammes of Ice, 297 kilogrammes of cocaine and 11,167 kilogrammes of cannabis.
A total of 5,743 individuals allegedly connected to various criminal activities were arrested during the year.
Investigations into suspected illicit assets are also being conducted against 450 of those arrested, reflecting the operation’s focus on tracing and recovering wealth believed to have been generated through criminal activities.
ASP Wootler has acknowledged that tackling organised crime and drug trafficking presented significant challenges to the Sri Lanka Police.
However, he has said the police would continue to receive the support of the three armed forces in carrying out operations against drug networks and organised criminal groups.
The effort to secure the return of the 112 Red Notice suspects is expected to be a key component of the broader campaign, as authorities seek to bring individuals allegedly linked to criminal networks abroad back to Sri Lanka to face justice.
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