Rs. 102 Million Robbery: Five Excise Officers Remanded

COLOMBO (News 1st); Five excise officers have been arrested in connection with the robbery of Rs. 102 million from a commercial establishment on Sea Street, Colombo.

According to police, the officers conducted a raid on June 5, claiming to act on a tip-off regarding the presence of illegal narcotics at a gold jewellery manufacturing premises. 

During the operation, they took Rs. 102 million in cash and detained seven individuals.

Police further stated that four of the initially detained individuals were produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on charges related to the possession of a stock of illicit cigarettes.

Subsequent investigations revealed that Rs. 50 million of the seized money was returned, while the remaining funds were allegedly misappropriated. 

The owners of the business lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), prompting a full-scale inquiry.

Following the investigation, the five excise officers — including an Excise Inspector and four Corporals — were arrested this afternoon. 

They were presented before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and have been remanded until November 7.

The suspects, who are residents of Kosgama, Hanwella, Dankotuwa, Millewa, and Batticaloa, are also expected to be produced for an identification parade on the same date.