(COLOMBO) – Eleven persons including three women were arrested following an underworld turf battle in the outskirts of the Sri Lankan commercial capital of Colombo during the early hours of Wednesday, police said.
The suspects were rounded up in a special police sting operation at Peliyagoda following a tip off while they were involved in a brawl with rivals, they said.
They described the eight men as aged between 23-35 years and the women aged 26, 46 and 47 years respectively.
Four swords and other sharp weapons were also recovered from the group, according to police.
Initial investigations have revealed that the group was largely involved in drug dealing and other activities related to organized crime in the area.
The leader of the gang who is known to the authorities is currently domiciled overseas and evading arrest, according to police.
Investigators have also found out that seven of those arrested were court dodgers where warrants for their arrests have already been issued.
