Officers of the Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department seized property worth over Rs.100 million said to belong to the main kasippu (illicit liquor) smuggler in Nikaweratiya, under the Money Laundering Act.
Police information stated that there are many properties including a van, a lorry, land and houses. It is also said that some properties are in the names of other persons.
A high-ranking Police officer stated that the transfer or alienation of this property is prohibited and if the registered owners are unable to disclose the manner in which the property was acquired during Court proceedings, it will be considered as illegally acquired property and will be confiscated. Investigations have been carried out based on a complaint made to the Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department by the North Western Province Senior DIG Kithsiri Jayalath and the properties have been taken into Police custody and steps have been taken to ban them. Police also mentioned that this illicit liquor (kasippu) smuggler has been engaged in large-scale kasippu trafficking, centered on the Kurunegala district, North Western Province, for over 30 years.
