IntelScoops

Colombo, August 2, 2025 —

Sri Lankan law enforcement officials have arrested a foreign national in connection with a growing synthetic drug trade targeting the city’s nightlife, authorities confirmed on Friday.

The arrest, made earlier this week by officers from the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), involves a Chinese national who is alleged to have distributed methamphetamine—commonly known as “ICE”—to customers at Colombo’s upscale nightclubs and casinos. Investigations have also revealed that the suspect was residing in the country illegally, having overstayed a tourist visa by several months.

According to police, the arrest followed weeks of surveillance and undercover operations that uncovered the suspect’s movements within the capital’s entertainment districts. Officers seized a quantity of high-purity crystal meth, digital scales, packaging materials, and foreign currency, which investigators say are consistent with mid-level trafficking.

“The suspect had embedded himself within Colombo’s nightlife circles, using short-term rental apartments to store and distribute narcotics,” said a senior police official close to the investigation. “He was operating without drawing much attention, but intelligence gathered from recent arrests pointed us to him.”

The man is currently in custody under a detention order and is expected to face charges under Sri Lanka’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and immigration laws. Authorities believe he may be connected to a larger network involving other foreign nationals using the country’s relaxed short-term visa entry policies to facilitate criminal activity.

Police sources also noted that nightclubs and casinos have increasingly become hotspots for synthetic drug distribution in recent months, with methamphetamine and ecstasy replacing more traditional narcotics in urban circles.

The Immigration and Emigration Department has now launched a parallel inquiry to identify any lapses in visa monitoring and renewal procedures, amid growing concerns over the abuse of Sri Lanka’s visa-free and tourist visa programs.

This latest arrest is part of a broader government push to crack down on drug-related crime and illicit foreign activity following a series of high-profile narcotics seizures over the past year. Law enforcement agencies have pledged tighter coordination across police, immigration, and customs departments going forward.

Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially involving transient foreign residents or frequent visitors to entertainment hubs.