Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the shooting death of 54-year-old Mohamed Asmin Moideen, who is believed to be a close relative of organised crime figure ‘Kanjipani Imran’.
The shooting occurred at around 1.20 p.m. on August 10 on Sri Sangharaja Mawatha in Maligawatta, within the Kotahena Police Division.
Police suspect that the killing was orchestrated by organised crime figure ‘Kudu Anju’, who is believed to be residing in France.
The five suspects were arrested on Monday (17) by officers of the Colombo North Divisional Criminal Investigation Unit based on information uncovered during the murder investigation.
A 21-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, both residents of Colombo 15, were arrested with 25 grams and 840 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’, and were subsequently handed over to Kotahena Police.
Three other suspects, aged 19, 25 and 28 and residents of Mattakkuliya, Dompe and Mulleriyawa, were arrested with 12 grams and 380 milligrams of ‘Ice’. Police also recovered a motorcycle suspected to have been used in the killing.
According to police, Moideen, who owned a hardware store on Sri Sangharaja Mawatha, was shot by two individuals who arrived on a motorcycle and fled after opening fire.
He was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with gunshot injuries but later succumbed to his injuries.
Police suspect the killing may have been carried out in retaliation for the recent murder of a close associate of ‘Kudu Anju’ in the Ratmalana area.
Further investigations are underway.
