President queries police method for estimating street value of confiscated drugs

During a coordination committee meeting in Galle District on Tuesday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake asked police officials how they calculate the estimated street value of narcotics seized in anti-drug operations. Police explained that valuations are based on current local street prices, which vary by area, and reported that over 2,600 raids have resulted in the seizure of about 119 kilograms of drugs, with more than 100 major traffickers under asset investigation.

At the Galle District Special Coordination Committee meeting held on Tuesday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inquired about the methodology used by police to determine the estimated street value of narcotics confiscated during anti-drug drives.

Police officials were briefing the President on the progress of the nationwide “Ratama Ekata” anti-drug operation when they presented the quantities and estimated values of various drugs seized in Galle District since the launch on 30 October 2025. The President specifically asked how the money value of the seized drugs was arrived at.

In response, police clarified that the estimates are derived from the current street price of narcotics in different localities. They highlighted that prices vary by location, giving the example of heroin: a packet containing roughly 70–80 milligrams sells for about Rs. 2,000 in the Galle area, while prices differ elsewhere in the country, including Colombo.

Police also informed the President that a total of 2,607 drug raids have been conducted in the district, resulting in the seizure of approximately 119 kilograms of narcotics. Additionally, authorities reported that more than 100 major drug traffickers are currently under asset investigations, focusing on how they acquired properties, vehicles, and other assets believed to have been purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking.