• Not in a position to respond: Police spokesman

Responding to allegations by the Minister of Justice Dr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa PC on a high number of false reports on narcotics related cases by some police stations, the National Police Commission (NPC) yesterday (19) stated that the law enforcement regulatory body only received a few complaints on such malpractice.

According to the NPC, police officers found responsible in such instances have been dealt with.

Last week, the Minister of Justice claimed that certain Police stations are violating laws pertaining to the possession of narcotics, citing forensic reports by the Government Analyst's (GA) Department, which indicate that certain drug-related cases are being falsely reported to courts by certain Police stations.

“Individuals are being arrested with substances which are considered to be narcotics and are remanded. However, such substances could also be powdered Panadol. When the GA's Department's reports are presented months later, it is reported that certain substances are not illegal drugs. By that time, that individual has been in remand custody for months, which is an unfair situation.” Minister Rajapaksa said.

The Daily Morning queried NPC Chairman and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandra Fernando as to whether the NPC had received any complaints regarding such incidents.

“There have been no complaints regarding incidents of Police mixing various other substances with heroin or other types of drugs to increase their weight, but there have been two or three incidents of Police producing heroin to courts with certain suspects, where they (suspects) had not been in possession of heroin. We have been carefully following such incidents, and instructed the IGP to take action against the concerned Police officers." The NPC Chair explained.

When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the matter, Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa said that he was not in a position to comment on the matter without referring to the relevant reports properly. The Ministry of Justice has written to the IGP seeking an inquiry into the matter, it is reliably learnt.

Dr. Rajapakshe, who has pointed out the incidents of certain Police stations having increased the weight of drugs by mixing them with various other substances, said last week: "When this happens to one or two samples, we can consider it as an honest mistake. However, there are some Police stations where as many as 20, 30 or 35 samples sent for testing in a year turn out not to be dangerous drugs. Some of them are not drugs, but various other substances." He further said that the Ministry is looking at conducting an inquiry with regard to such incidents, and is also considering amending the relevant laws to provide bail and assist those who have been remanded wrongfully.