4 arrested with 19,060 litres of illegally stocked diesel

2026-03-12 - 05:29

Police have arrested 04 suspects along with 02 bowser trucks containing 19,060 litres of illegally stockpiled diesel in the Biyagama area. The raid was conducted yesterday (March 11) following a tipoff received by the Kelaniya Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau. The suspects, aged 20, 22, 32, and 42, are residents of Heiyanthuduwa, Thihagoda, and Nelundeniya. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been illegally purchasing diesel from vehicles on the road – including lorries, tipper trucks, and Prime Mover trucks – by paying drivers to siphon fuel without permits, then storing it for illegal resale. At the time of arrest, police also seized 02 fuel-extracting motors, 16 iron barrels, and Rs. 381,000 in cash believed to be connected to the operation.