Janith Madushanka, infamously known as "Podi Lassie," a prominent Sri Lankan underworld figure and notorious drug kingpin, was arrested in Mumbai on Tuesday. The arrest, confirmed by local police sources, followed an official notification from Interpol to Sri Lankan authorities.
Podi Lassie, who was recently released on bail by the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court on December 9, 2024, had been under heavy surveillance. His release was granted under strict conditions after being implicated in a series of criminal activities, including orchestrating death threats against several high-ranking officials.
Notably, he was named as the second suspect in an ongoing investigation concerning threats made against former President Maithripala Sirisena, the then Defence Ministry Secretary, and senior officers from the Prisons Department at Boossa Prison.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through both Sri Lanka and India, as Madushanka is believed to have extensive international links in the illicit drug trade, fueling the region's growing drug trafficking issues.
Sri Lankan authorities are now preparing for his extradition to face charges related to organized crime, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to commit murder.
The arrest of "Podi Lassie" marks a significant victory for international law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to curb the powerful criminal networks operating across South Asia.
