A smuggling operation involving high-priced foreign liquor concealed among motor vehicle spare parts has been uncovered by the officers of the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force stationed in Walana, Panadura.
The raid, conducted on Saturday (15), targeted a motor vehicle spare parts shop in Delkanda owned by a well-known businessman, where a stock of foreign liquor worth around Rs. 10 million was discovered.
According to the Anti-Corruption Task Force, the liquor stock had been meticulously hidden among motor vehicle spare parts on the ground floor of the business premises.
A 59-year-old man from Maharagama, who was working as the store manager, was taken into custody in connection with the operation.
Investigations revealed that the businessman who owns the establishment also operates two nightclubs in Kollupitiya and Kotte. It was determined that the liquor concealed at the spare parts store was intended for use in these nightclubs. A senior police officer confirmed that the liquor bottles were cleverly hidden inside motor vehicle spare part boxes and transported into the country.
The Anti-Corruption Task Force had received intelligence about the smuggling ring from the unit’s Chief Inspector Indika Weerasinghe. Based on this information, Assistant Superintendent K.A. Udaya Kumara devised an operation, which was executed by a team led by Sub-Inspector Wimal and other officers.
(dailynews.lk)
(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)