Massive crackdown in Sri Lanka results in the arrest of numerous individuals during a seven-day campaign against drug activities

Police in Sri Lanka have conducted a week-long crackdown on drug traffickers, resulting in the arrest of nearly 15,000 individuals. The operation yielded the confiscation of approximately 440kg of different narcotics, such as heroin. Videos released by local media depicted officers employing sniffer dogs to search residences in Colombo and other areas. However, human rights activists have criticized the raids, asserting that they were conducted without proper search warrants. Authorities countered these claims by stating that warrants are not always necessary when checking for drugs. Throughout the operation, 13,666 suspects were apprehended, with 1,097 addicts sent to a military-run rehabilitation center. Property and vehicles associated with alleged criminals were also seized. Critics argue that the raids unfairly targeted disadvantaged communities. Experts have emphasized that Sri Lanka serves as a crucial hub for drug traffickers, leading to significant drug-related issues, including the circulation of heroin, hashish, and cannabis. Although searches have been temporarily halted for Christmas, they are scheduled to resume next week. Notably, the country's largest drug seizure by weight occurred in December 2016 when police confiscated 800kg of cocaine.