Borella police have arrested a suspect linked to an attempted shooting in Kuppiyawatta, Dematagoda, on July 23, recovering crystal methamphetamine at the time of the arrest.
Two unidentified men on a motorcycle had attempted to shoot and kill a person in the July 23 incident. Acting on information about a suspect connected to the attack, police raided the Lake Drive area on Tuesday.
A 23-year-old resident of Borella was taken into custody after a tip-off, along with a quantity of crystal methamphetamine — reported by NewsFirst as 10 grams and 900 milligrams of the drug known locally as Ice. Investigators allege he rode the motorcycle that carried the gunman to the scene.
A second man, a 24-year-old Borella resident, was also arrested on suspicion of involvement. Police are investigating what part he played in the attack.
Further inquiries are continuing.
Amid a run of Colombo-area shootings
The arrest comes during a sustained police effort against armed attacks in and around the capital. Four special teams were assigned last week to investigate a series of shootings in Mount Lavinia, and separate incidents have been reported at Ratmalana in recent weeks.
Attacks by gunmen riding pillion on motorcycles have been a recurring pattern in these cases, and narcotics have frequently surfaced alongside firearms charges when suspects are detained.
Sources: Ada Derana, NewsFirst.
