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Attorneys general

Attorney General Directs Police to Follow Procedures in Handling Drug Related Offences

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has issued a directive to the Police to follow established procedures when conducting investigations and arrests of suspects linked to drug-related offences. This move comes in response to claims that suspects arrested on such charges often go free due to shortcomings in the investigations. The AG emphasized the importance of completing investigations to a level where there is sufficient evidence to prove reasonable grounds for prosecution, rather than rushing to complete them to suit different agendas. The directive was shared with senior police officers, including the IGP and the Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Attorney General has directed the Police to follow procedures laid down by the law when conducting investigations and arrests of suspects linked to drug-related offences.
  • The directive was issued in response to claims that suspects arrested on such charges often go free due to shortcomings in the investigations.
  • Investigations should be completed to a level where there is enough evidence to prove there are reasonable grounds for prosecution.
  • Suspects arrested with 30 to 40 kilograms of narcotics have gone free due to shortcomings in handling the investigations.
  • The AG emphasized the importance of consulting with the AG's Department for necessary advice before conducting investigations.
  • The Police Narcotics Bureau has been informed to consult with the AG's Department for the necessary advice.
  • Director CID Shani Abeysekera, Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau, and several other senior officers were present at the meeting.

Statistics:

  • 30-40 kilograms of narcotics: the amount seized from suspects who went free due to shortcomings in handling the investigations.
  • The number of instances where suspects arrested with these quantities of narcotics went free due to shortcomings in handling the investigations is not specified.

Sources:

  • "Attorney General advises Police to follow law on drug arrests" [Source: unspecified news publication]
  • [No further sources present in the original text.]

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