The largest haul of heroin weighing 55 kilograms concealed inside fake potatoes and imported from Pakistan was seized at the Colombo Port yesterday by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB). Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya said three suspects including a foreigner were also arrested after the container load of heroin packed inside 943 sacks of ‘potatoes’ was taken into custody.

The minimum street value of the heroin is estimated at Rs.275 million but has a possibility of increasing up to Rs.375 million when taking into account the price tag of one kilo of heroin which is about Rs.4.5 million.

The raid was carried out after the police received a tip off that preparations were being made to import a massive quantity of heroin.

“We have already identified the foreign network that sends heroin to Sri Lanka”, the Police Chief said and added that a highly organized network which includes Sri Lankans and Pakistanis were believed to be responsible for operating the highly lucrative trade.

Afghanistan is the leading hub for the flourishing industry with a wider global network. The nexus revolves around Afghanistan, Pakistan and India known as the ‘Golden Crescent’ and transported to Sri Lanka.

Reports say that there are currently about 55,000 regular heroin addicts in the country. Sri Lanka serves as a transshipment hub for heroine trading especially by heroin dealers in countries like India and Pakistan.