The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that information relating to nine politicians and seven actresses and models was found on mobile phones seized from alleged drug trafficker and organized crime suspect Kehelbaddara Padme.
According to the CID, photographs and records of telephone conversations involving nine politicians were recovered from the devices, while information relating to seven actresses and models was also identified.
The CID stressed that further investigations are underway and that the discovery of such information does not, by itself, indicate that any of the individuals had committed an offence.
Investigators said eight mobile phones were seized from the suspect following his arrest. Although data on the devices had been deleted, investigators managed to recover a substantial amount of information.
The recovered data reportedly included details of 8,841 telephone calls, more than 326,000 photographs, 1,101 audio recordings and 5,039 videos.
The CID also identified information relating to 20 suspected major drug traffickers, which has been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation.
Telephone numbers belonging to 13 prison officers were also allegedly found on the devices, and the Commissioner General of Prisons has been informed.
Meanwhile, investigators said photographs of 19 passports belonging to individuals allegedly linked to various criminal activities were discovered. Investigations are also being conducted into 17 bank accounts.
The CID further informed court that Kehelbaddara Padme had travelled to 13 countries on around 15 occasions since leaving Sri Lanka legally in May 2021. His destinations included the UAE, Indonesia, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos.
Kehelbaddara Padme was arrested in Indonesia and subsequently brought back to Sri Lanka following an international operation. He was later held under detention orders for further questioning.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that the suspect be remanded until September 3.
