Notorious Sri Lankan drug lord ‘Thel Bala’ dies in India
March 1, 2017 01:09 pm
The body of notorious drug trafficker Muniyandi Vappu Balan popularly known as “Thel Bala,” who was a well known gang leader and mobster during the late 90’s and early 2000’s, has been brought to the country after he passed away in India.
The remains arrived in the country last night on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 126 and was handed over to relatives this morning (01), Ada Derana reporter said.
‘Thel Bala’ had been living in Tamil Nadu and was one of the main drug traffickers operating between Indian and Sri Lanka.
He had fled the country after being charged with smuggling 35kg of heroin into Sri Lanka in 2001.
He had reportedly passed away as a result of complications following a kidney transplant.