Robbery suspects on the prowl to sustain narcotics habit

Several robberies recently reported appear to be linked with suspects who are trying to sustain their addiction to dangerous narcotics such as ‘ice’ and heroin.

The Nawagamuwa Police recently arrested a suspect addicted to ‘ice’, (methamphetamine), involved in a series of robberies of garment factories in Nawagamuwa, Mount Lavinia, Pugoda, Kosgama, Avissawella and Ambalantota, and elsewhere.

He was arrested on a bus. The police had found ten stolen laptops, three tabs, and three mobile phones, as well as gold.

The 28 year old suspect with a record of previous criminal activity, lives in Walasmulla, but had been renting a place in Nugegoda. The police claimed that he robs for money to buy alcohol, ‘ice’, and women.

The suspect had acted alone, sneaking into garment factories in the mornings, mingling with workers and then concealing himself to sleep in those premises until midnight, when he would become active until 1.00 a.m. He would then leave like a worker, undetected.

He was produced in the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court on November 22.

Last Monday, the Wattala Police received information of an incident of a gold necklace being snatched from a woman in the Elakanda Pharmacy area and arrested the suspect in a forested area on the Wattala-Maradana road.

The 35-year-old had been in possession of the stolen necklace and 50mg of heroin. He was produced in the Welisara Magistrate’s Court the next day, where he was remanded until December 6.

The Police said the suspect might be sent to rehabilitation if and when he is convicted. The Moratuwa Police also arrested two drug addicts on November 29, who had stolen electrical items and bulbs worth more than Rs. 1 million from a building under construction at the Moratuwa University.

The suspects had evaded CCTV cameras and information from shop owners to whom they had sold their loot, had led to the arrests. More than 50 bulbs had been recovered.

The suspects, residents of the Menikepura area and said to be addicted to ‘ice’ and heroin, were produced in the Moratuwa Magistrate’s Court.

Also, a former soldier addicted to drugs, and two of his friends had robbed Rs. 800,000 worth of jewellery from the house of his fiancee in Rajanganaya between October and November.

The suspect had served the army for three years. After leaving the military he had committed 12 robberies in Polpithigama and other areas, including the house of his fiancee for money to spend on heroin.

Even though he mostly committed the robberies alone, he operated with two friends who had helped him mortgage the gold. All three suspects were arrested by the police and produced in court on November 12 and remanded until December 28.

The Bambalapitiya Police arrested a suspect who had stolen bank ATM cards and withdrew money to use in casinos and for ‘ice’.

The suspect would insert small items such as pieces of newspaper into an ATM card slot. When a person trying to withdraw money is unable to insert the bank card, he would appear and offer to help. He asks for the customer’s card and switches it. When the victim keys in the PIN code, he would remember it and later on, uses it to withdraw money from the original bank card.

Siri Hettige, professor emeritus of Sociology of the University of Colombo explained the issue as, “an old problem”, dating back way before modern organised crime to the Opium Wars in China.

“Organised criminals create the demand for drugs among youth by distribution through informal networks. There are legal applications and medical applications for the impact of drugs on young people, since drugs destroy them and they pursue their addiction at the expense of everything else,’’ he said.

Explaining the adverse impact of drug addiction on society, Prof. Hettige said: “When they are pursuing their addiction, it is detrimental to the family and the neighbourhood, as they create havoc by committing petty crimes at first, and then resorting to larger crimes. Public education and law enforcement are important. Ideas should be exchanged with countries who have managed this issue better with systematic and scientific means.’’

Prof. Hettige said lawmakers are not being effective.

“The Parliament should concentrate on grave issues instead of trivial matters such as debating about ancient Buddhism as seen in the recent budget debate. Now we have so much turmoil. There is no public order. People are completely disillusioned, due to a total mismanagement of issues.’’

“Drugs and crime are like twins,’’ said retired Western Province crimes DIG, Prashantha Jayakody. He noted that drugs enter the country through sea and air routes, and “the fence should be built”, to block them off. “If drugs are prevented, we will be able to reduce crime and create a beautiful country for the younger generation.’’

Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa, said, “there is an increase in the number of drug addicts, which is the reason for robberies.”

Organised criminals create the demand for drugs among youth by distribution through informal networks. There are legal applications and medical applications for the impact of drugs on young people, since drugs destroy them and they pursue their addiction at the expense of everything else