Woman Arrested in Mannar for Laundering Illicit Gold Assets

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A woman has been arrested in Mannar for the illegal pawning and selling of gold jewelry acquired through unlawful means. 

She was apprehended under charges of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

According to investigations, an individual who had transported narcotics from South India to Sri Lanka during the period between 2019 and 2023 had utilized the proceeds to purchase a two-storey house, a building with five shops, a motor vehicle, and jewelry containing nearly 360 gold sovereigns.

Following the suspect's initial arrest, the Mannar Magistrate's Court issued an order prohibiting the use of these properties and assets.

The police revealed that the suspect’s mother, despite knowing that the gold had been acquired illegally, had proceeded to sell and pawn the items. 

She was arrested following an extensive investigation into the alleged financial transactions.