A close associate of an underworld figure based overseas has been arrested with a stock of heroin in the Ambalangoda area, the Ambalangoda Police said.

The suspect, a 39-year-old resident of Kandegoda, Ambalangoda, has been arrested yesterday (14).

Police investigations have revealed that the suspect was linked to the drug trafficking network of an underworld figure known as “Jayasekara Chuti”, who is currently overseas and is wanted in connection with a quintuple murder.

The Ambalangoda Police had received confidential information that the suspect was staying behind the Kandegoda Railway Station, along Kandegoda Kurunduwatta Road, to sell narcotics.

Acting on the information, a team of police officers immediately had proceeded to the location and carried out a raid.

Upon noticing the arrival of the police, the suspect had attempted to flee. However, a Sub-Inspector of Police attached to the raid had pursued and apprehended him.

During the arrest, police took into custody 101 grams and 300 milligrams of heroin found in the suspect's possession. The stock is estimated to be worth nearly Rs. 4 million.

Meanwhile, police stated that the suspect had previously been released on bail by the Balapitiya High Court over a charge of possessing narcotics, but had allegedly resumed drug trafficking activities.

The arrested suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Balapitiya Magistrate's Court today (15), where police are expected to obtain a detention order to facilitate further questioning.