Three Pakistani nationals arrested in Sri Lanka for chemical-laced note robbery

COLOMBO: Three Pakistani nationals have been arrested in connection with a bizarre robbery in which a lorry driver was drugged and robbed of 90,000 Sri Lankan rupees (approx. PKR 83,700). The suspects reportedly used a currency note contaminated with a chemical agent to incapacitate their victim.

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According to a news report by Sri Lankan publication Daily Mirror, the local police said that the incident occurred on Saturday along Peradeniya Road in Kandy city when the suspects flagged down the driver of a lorry.

Posing as individuals seeking assistance to exchange a 5,000 rupees note, they allegedly caused the driver to lose consciousness by holding the note close to his face, which had been treated with a potent substance.

When the driver regained consciousness, he found his cash, amounting to Rs. 90,000, had been stolen. He immediately reported the crime to the Peradeniya Police.

CCTV footage from the scene helped authorities track down the getaway vehicle, which was traced to a rental service. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been rented by one of the Pakistani suspects, and its GPS data showed that it had traveled to the Thihagoda area.

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Working in collaboration with the Thihagoda Police, Peradeniya authorities located the suspects and arrested them along with the vehicle. The three men were subsequently brought before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court, where they were remanded until October 2 for further investigation.

Sources suggest that the suspects, who were in Sri Lanka on tourist visas, may have ties to a larger money laundering network.