An 18-year-old youth has been arrested with nearly 3 kilograms of heroin during a raid conducted at a house in the Yayawatta area of Palapotha, Tangalle.

The suspect, a resident of Palapotha East, was arrested yesterday (26) by officers of the Peliyagoda North Divisional Crime Division.

Acting on information received by the Officer-in-Charge of the Peliyagoda North Divisional Crime Division, a team of officers had raided a house in Palapotha East, within the Tangalle Police Division.

Upon inspection, police had recovered 2,300 milligrams of heroin in his possession.

During interrogation, the suspect had reportedly revealed that the drugs had been given to him by his brother and that his brother had another quantity of drugs in his possession.

Accordingly, police searched the 29-year-old brother's house in the Yayawatta area of Palapotha.

By the time police arrived at the location, the suspect had fled the house. However, officers had recovered a parcel containing 2 kilograms and 842 grams of heroin concealed behind the house.

Police also searched the residence of the 29-year-old suspect, who is a resident of Yayawatta, Palapotha.

The arrested suspect further told police that his brother had found the consignment of heroin floating in the sea.

Further investigations are underway to arrest the 29-year-old suspect.