A port employee allegedly involved in a racket pertaining to the theft and sale of “smart keys” from vehicles imported into the country through the Hambantota International Port, along with an outside party who purchased the stolen keys, have been arrested.

According to the Hambantota Port Police, the two suspects were remanded until September 22 after being produced before the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court on September 11.

Following an extensive investigation by the Hambantota Port Security Department into the disappearance of smart keys, suspicion fell on an employee serving at the port, said police. The employee was subsequently taken into custody by security officers and handed over to the Hambantota Port Police for further investigation.

Investigations conducted by the Crime Investigation Bureau under the instructions of Hambantota Port Police Officer-in-Charge (OIC), together with the interrogation of the port employee, revealed that the stolen smart keys had been sold to a businessman in Kurunegala at prices starting from Rs. 6,000, depending on the vehicle model.

Police investigations revealed that the suspect had earned more than Rs. 1.5 million over a period of several months by selling approximately 45 smart keys.

Based on statements provided by the arrested employee, police also arrested the businessman in the Kurunegala area. He reportedly confessed to purchasing the stolen smart keys. Police subsequently recovered the relevant smart keys found in his possession.

Investigations conducted by port security personnel and the police revealed that the racket had allegedly been operating since the commencement of domestic vehicle imports through the Hambantota International Port.

Further investigations into the incidents are being conducted under the direction of Hambantota Port Police OIC. 

Meanwhile, an official of the Hambantota Port Security Department stated that a special programme is being implemented to detect and prevent such thefts within the port premises.