Police have arrested 22 persons in Chilaw while attempting to illegally travel to Australia today. 18 of the suspects are said to be from Mullaitivu and Jaffna, police said.
The arrested include two human smugglers, who are from Ridiwella and Udappuwa, and a three-wheeler driver while Rs. 294,000 in cash was found in one suspect’s possession.
The suspects operating the human smuggling racket had reportedly charged Rs. 900,000 from each person seeking to travel to Australia illegally.
The group of asylum seekers are said to have arrived and stayed at a hotel in Munneswaram, Chilaw and were later traveling in 3 three-wheelers when they were arrested. One three-wheeler driver had reportedly fled with the vehicle.
The suspects are to be produced at the Chilaw District Court today.
