The haul of drugs seized in Weligama last week has been confirmed to be the narcotic substance Mephedrone, according to the Southern Province DIG Kithsiri Jayalath.
The Government Analyst confirmed the identification, making this the first instance of Mephedrone being detected in Sri Lanka. DIG Jayalath noted that the Analyst’s report reveals Mephedrone to be even more dangerous than other synthetic drugs such as ‘ICE’.
The discovery was made during a police raid on September 21 at a location in Weligama suspected to have been used for producing synthetic drugs. During the operation, officers also found materials believed to have been used in the manufacture of ‘ICE’.
An 18-year-old Maltese national was arrested in connection with the raid and is currently under investigation.
Authorities described the detection as a serious development in Sri Lanka’s fight against narcotics, warning of the heightened threat posed by the entry of new synthetic drugs into the country.
