Police seized Grandpass Lokunona assets worth over Rs. 5.7 crore as investigators probe suspected proceeds from illegal drug trafficking.
Police have seized Grandpass Lokunona assets worth more than Rs. 5.7 crore as part of an investigation into suspected illegal drug trafficking proceeds.
The properties belong to “Grandpass Lokunona,” also known as Mohamed Fawsi Hidaya, whom authorities have identified as a powerful drug trafficker. Officers from the Illegal Assets Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department carried out the special legal action.
Investigators suspect that the seized properties were purchased using money generated through illegal drug trafficking.
A confidential complaint to the Inspector General of Police alleged that the suspect, who resides in Uswetakeiyawa, and her close associates had accumulated properties and other assets on a large scale through drug trafficking.
Following the complaint, investigators launched a comprehensive inquiry under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 5 of 2006, as amended by Act No. 40 of 2011.
Authorities have now reported the case to the Welisara Magistrate’s Court under case number M/U 5241/24.
Grandpass Lokunona Assets Include Luxury House
According to information uncovered during the investigation, authorities seized a luxury two-storey house valued at approximately Rs. 5 crore.
The house stands on a 20-perch land parcel in Pubudugama, Uswetakeiyawa, within the Wattala Divisional Secretariat Division.
Investigators also identified another property in Nugape within the same division. The property covers 9.5 perches and includes a house and a shop room.
Authorities suspect that illegal income funded the acquisition of this property. Its approximate value stands at Rs. 70 lakh.
Together, the Grandpass Lokunona assets targeted in the investigation carry an estimated value exceeding Rs. 5.7 crore.
Properties Frozen as Police Search for Suspects
Under Section 7(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Assistant Superintendent of Police Janaka Witanage issued orders freezing the two properties for seven days.
Investigators have also made a special request to the court under Section 8(1) of the Act. They are seeking further legal action under Section 8(2).
Meanwhile, police said the suspects, including “Grandpass Lokunona,” whose assets have now been seized, have fled the area.
Police have launched a widespread operation to locate and arrest the suspects. Authorities intend to produce them before the Welisara Magistrate’s Court after their arrests.
The investigation into the Grandpass Lokunona assets will continue as police examine the alleged links between the seized properties and income suspected to have come from illegal drug trafficking.
