Gampaha Magistrate’s Court has imposed an overseas travel ban on seven police officers, including the former Officer-in-Charge of the Western Province North Crimes Division, over an investigation into alleged links to narcotics trafficking networks operating with overseas drug smugglers.

The order was issued by Chief Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne following a request made by the current Officer-in-Charge of the division, Chief Inspector R.G.C. Padumasiri.

Court was informed that investigations were launched after intelligence was received alleging that three kilograms of cocaine taken into police custody during a raid in Bollatha, Ganemulla had later been trafficked by a constable involved in the operation.

The travel ban has been imposed on officers identified as Linton Leonard Silva, Kasun Subhashana, Ranjith Ranasinghe, Manoj Piyadarshana Hewawasam, Tharaka Madhuranga Abeykoon, Kolitha Lakmal Rajapaksha and Terrence Cedric Peiris.