Three further suspects, including two Pakistani nationals, have been arrested in connection with a major consignment of suspected crystal methamphetamine discovered at the Colombo Port, according to Sri Lanka Police.
Police-linked reporting placed the quantity recovered from two containers at nearly 463 kilograms, with an estimated street value exceeding Rs.8 billion.
The arrests were made by officers of the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB) as investigations into the consignment continued.
Suspected drugs recovered from containers
According to police, two suspicious containers at the Colombo Port were inspected and opened with the assistance of Sri Lanka Customs.
A large quantity of material suspected to be crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Iceâ€, was discovered inside.
Police said the weighing process placed the quantity recovered at nearly 463 kilograms.
Earlier reporting during the developing operation cited lower preliminary quantities of approximately 420kg. The nearly 463kg figure reflects the later police-linked account following further weighing.
Three further suspects arrested
Police subsequently reported the arrest of three further suspects in connection with the investigation.
Two of those arrested are Pakistani nationals.
The arrests were carried out by the CCIB as investigators continued efforts to establish responsibility for the importation and handling of the consignment.
Consignment reportedly originated from Pakistan
Reporting citing investigators says the shipment had arrived in Sri Lanka from Pakistan.
However, the reported origin of the shipment does not by itself establish responsibility or guilt on the part of any individual arrested in connection with the investigation.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Estimated street value exceeds Rs.8 billion
Police estimated the street value of the suspected narcotics at more than Rs.8 billion.
Street-value estimates are law-enforcement estimates and should not be treated as an independently established commercial valuation.
Investigation continues
The seizure and arrests form part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
The substances are being reported as suspected crystal methamphetamine based on police identification at this stage.
The arrest of an individual does not establish guilt, and responsibility for the shipment remains a matter for investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
UPDATE: Quantity rises to 471.2kg; five suspects arrested
1 September 2026 evening update: Further information released as the Colombo Port narcotics investigation progressed has revised both the quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine recovered and the number of suspects arrested.
Later reporting places the total quantity at 471.2 kilograms, compared with the nearly 463kg figure reported earlier following preliminary weighing.
A total of five suspects have now been arrested in connection with the investigation.
They comprise three Pakistani nationals and two Sri Lankan nationals, according to later reporting on the investigation.
The estimated street value continues to be reported at more than Rs.8 billion.
The changing figures reflect the developing nature of the seizure, including further weighing and investigation.
The substance should continue to be described as suspected crystal methamphetamine unless laboratory confirmation is established.
The arrests do not establish guilt. Responsibility for the shipment remains subject to investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
U.S. DEA role confirmed
2 September 2026 update: New official information has confirmed direct cooperation between United States and Sri Lankan law-enforcement authorities in the Colombo Port methamphetamine operation previously reported by Sineth News.
Sri Lanka Police said information relating to the suspicious container had been provided by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
The U.S. side subsequently confirmed that the DEA's New Delhi Country Office and Sri Lanka's Police Narcotics Bureau worked together in an operation targeting a Pakistan-based transnational narcotics-trafficking network.
According to the U.S. account, intelligence concerning suspicious maritime containers travelling from Pakistan to Colombo was developed between August 14 and 29.
The drugs were concealed among towels inside the container.
The U.S. account describes the seizure as approximately 463 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated value of about US$21 million.
This figure should be read alongside the evolving Sri Lankan reporting already recorded in this article.
Early reports placed the quantity at approximately 420 kilograms. Subsequent Sri Lankan reporting placed it at nearly 463 kilograms, while later reports cited approximately 471.2 kilograms following further weighing and investigation.
These differing figures represent the evolving official and media reporting surrounding the same developing seizure and should not be treated as separate seizures.
The latest U.S. statement materially strengthens confirmation of international law-enforcement cooperation in the operation, but does not alter the legal status of the people arrested in connection with the investigation.
They remain suspects unless and until guilt is established through the judicial process.