Police today (23) arrested two sons of the man who died yesterday while receiving hospital treatment after being taken into custody from a house in Seenimodara, Tangalle, where three lorries loaded with drugs were discovered.

According to police, the haul seized from the lorries includes 705.91 kg of narcotics, comprising 284.94 kg of heroin and 420.976 kg of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘Ice’), with an estimated street value of around Rs. 9.88 billion.

The raid was carried out yesterday following information received after three individuals were found dead under mysterious circumstances in a house in Seenimodara. In addition to the narcotics, police recovered a T-56 assault rifle and five brand-new, unwrapped pistols from one of the lorries.

Investigations have revealed that the drugs belonged to underworld criminal “Unakooruwe Shanta,” who operates an international drug trafficking network. Police further disclosed that the three deceased individuals were also linked to the drug racket.

The man who died while in hospital yesterday has been identified as “Unakooruwe Thusitha,” alleged to have managed Shanta’s drug network within Sri Lanka.

So far, six suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, including Thusitha’s two sons, the registered owners of the three lorries, and the driver of one of the vehicles.

The arrested suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court today. Tangalle Police, together with the Police Narcotics Bureau, are conducting further investigations.