Latest news with #SriLankaPolice
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Cannabis seizures at UK airports soar to new highs with Thai gangs responsible
CANNABIS seizures have soared to record highs at UK airports — as Thai smuggling gangs attempt to dominate the British market in the illegal drug. The amount caught at Heathrow alone last year — 14.7 tons — was almost triple the 5.6 tons snared at all airports during 2023. Advertisement 2 Alleged smuggler Charlotte May Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka on a flight from Thailand Credit: Sri Lanka Police Nearly 27 tons of cannabis were seized at British airports last year, 400 per cent up on the previous 12 months. Some 750 people were caught by specialist cops, way up on the 134 nicked the year before. Nearly two thirds were flying in from Thailand. A record 430 suspects were arrested at Heathrow, the National Crime Agency said. Advertisement READ MORE ON DRUGS Next worst hotspots were Manchester with 135 arrests and 4.8 tons seized and Birmingham, where 40 people were arrested over 1.4 tons. Thai gangs are thought to be trying to expand their stake in the British market by exploiting the Asian state's decriminalising of the drug in 2022. Many Brits are now caught trying to re-enter the UK with drugs having been lured to Thailand by the promise of a free holiday, lavish gifts and posh accommodation. In return, they must bring back suitcases stuffed with drugs. Advertisement Most read in The Sun A source said: 'It's so much easier to obtain cannabis in Thailand than anywhere else. 'There is a huge amount of demand in the UK, especially for kush, which is much stronger. That explains the massive surge in seizures.' Charlotte May Lee fears being locked away for 20yrs over £1.2m Sri Lanka drugs bust – & is 'aware' of Bella Culley case More than 50 British nationals have been caught acting as drug mules on flights out of Thailand since the start of 2024. They include Advertisement 2 There have been record numbers of cannabis seizures at UK airports, with two-thirds coming from Thailand Credit: Unpixs
Hans India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Flight Searched at Colombo Airport Following Alert on Pahalgam Attack Suspects
A thorough security check was conducted on a SriLankan Airlines flight from Chennai on Saturday at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo after Indian officials received a tip regarding potential suspects connected to the recent Pahalgam terror attack being on board. At 11:59 AM, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Air Force, and airport security officers joined forces to search Flight UL122 as soon as it touched down in Colombo. Authorities did, however, confirm that no suspects were discovered aboard. According to a Sri Lanka Police spokeswoman, the search was started in response to an Indian intelligence alert warning that six people suspected of being involved in the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir might have boarded the flight from Chennai. According to SriLankan Airlines, the Chennai Area Control Centre notified them of the possible danger. "The aircraft was cleared for further operations after undergoing a thorough security inspection upon arrival," the airline stated in a statement. A Nepali tourist and a local pony ride operator were among the 26 civilians killed in the Pahalgam terror incident, which occurred at the well-known Baisaran meadow. The attack has been ascribed by Indian authorities to extremists from Pakistan. At the moment, the investigation is being led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In a prompt diplomatic and economic reaction, India has blocked Pakistani ships from entering Indian ports, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, and stopped all imports and mail from the nation. Pakistanis who are currently in India are instructed to depart by Tuesday, and their visas have been revoked. In retaliation, Pakistan has threatened to renounce the Simla Accord and all other bilateral accords with India. With both countries downsizing diplomatic missions and closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, diplomatic relations have become even more strained.
CNN
07-02-2025
- CNN
Two tourists died in Sri Lanka after hostel fumigated for bedbugs, police say
Two tourists have died from suspected pesticide poisoning after their hostel in Sri Lanka was fumigated for bedbugs, Britain's PA Media news agency has reported. Ebony McIntosh, a 24-year-old digital marketing and social media manager from the English city of Derby, and 26-year-old Nadine Raguse from Germany were both staying in the Miracle Colombo City hostel in the Sri Lankan capital, PA reported Sri Lanka Police as saying on Thursday. They both fell ill after a room at the hostel was fumigated to treat bedbugs, Sri Lanka Police spokesman Buddhika Manatunga told PA, and McIntosh was hospitalized on Saturday. Officers are investigating whether the two women were poisoned by pesticides, the Manatunga said. Related article British woman and South African man found dead at Vietnam tourist villa He added that an autopsy to determine McIntosh's cause of death will take place after her family arrives in Sri Lanka on Monday. Manatunga said the hostel, which is currently closed, will remain shut until then, according to PA. A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) told PA: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Sri Lanka, and are in contact with the local authorities.' CNN has reached out to the FCDO for further comment. McIntosh's family have launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for their travel to Sri Lanka. 'We are absolutely heartbroken to share that our beautiful baby girl and big sister Ebony has passed away unexpectedly on the Saturday 1st February 2025, thousands of miles away from home,' McIntosh's family wrote on the page. 'Words cannot begin to express how broken we are, it's been like a nightmare since we found out on Sunday morning, we have prayed and prayed that this can't be true. It couldn't possibly happen to our lovely Ebs,' they continued. The family wrote that McIntosh flew from London to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, January 28, to 'follow her dreams of travelling all over South Asia,' and that she was 'full of excitement,' having spent months planning. They added that McIntosh and 'several others' were rushed to hospital on Saturday after suffering from vomiting and nausea, and that McIntosh also had difficulty breathing. The family said she died within a few hours of arriving at the hospital.
CNN
07-02-2025
- CNN
Two tourists died in Sri Lanka after hostel fumigated for bedbugs, police say
Two tourists have died from suspected pesticide poisoning after their hostel in Sri Lanka was fumigated for bedbugs, Britain's PA Media news agency has reported. Ebony McIntosh, a 24-year-old digital marketing and social media manager from the English city of Derby, and 26-year-old Nadine Raguse from Germany were both staying in the Miracle Colombo City hostel in the Sri Lankan capital, PA reported Sri Lanka Police as saying on Thursday. They both fell ill after a room at the hostel was fumigated to treat bedbugs, Sri Lanka Police spokesman Buddhika Manatunga told PA, and McIntosh was hospitalized on Saturday. Officers are investigating whether the two women were poisoned by pesticides, the Manatunga said. Related article British woman and South African man found dead at Vietnam tourist villa He added that an autopsy to determine McIntosh's cause of death will take place after her family arrives in Sri Lanka on Monday. Manatunga said the hostel, which is currently closed, will remain shut until then, according to PA. A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) told PA: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Sri Lanka, and are in contact with the local authorities.' CNN has reached out to the FCDO for further comment. McIntosh's family have launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for their travel to Sri Lanka. 'We are absolutely heartbroken to share that our beautiful baby girl and big sister Ebony has passed away unexpectedly on the Saturday 1st February 2025, thousands of miles away from home,' McIntosh's family wrote on the page. 'Words cannot begin to express how broken we are, it's been like a nightmare since we found out on Sunday morning, we have prayed and prayed that this can't be true. It couldn't possibly happen to our lovely Ebs,' they continued. The family wrote that McIntosh flew from London to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, January 28, to 'follow her dreams of travelling all over South Asia,' and that she was 'full of excitement,' having spent months planning. They added that McIntosh and 'several others' were rushed to hospital on Saturday after suffering from vomiting and nausea, and that McIntosh also had difficulty breathing. The family said she died within a few hours of arriving at the hospital.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Two tourists died in Sri Lanka after hostel fumigated for bedbugs, police say
Two tourists have died from suspected pesticide poisoning after their hostel in Sri Lanka was fumigated for bedbugs, Britain's PA Media news agency has reported. Ebony McIntosh, a 24-year-old digital marketing and social media manager from the English city of Derby, and 26-year-old Nadine Raguse from Germany were both staying in the Miracle Colombo City hostel in the Sri Lankan capital, PA reported Sri Lanka Police as saying on Thursday. They both fell ill after a room at the hostel was fumigated to treat bedbugs, Sri Lanka Police spokesman Buddhika Manatunga told PA, and McIntosh was hospitalized on Saturday. Officers are investigating whether the two women were poisoned by pesticides, the Manatunga said. He added that an autopsy to determine McIntosh's cause of death will take place after her family arrives in Sri Lanka on Monday. Manatunga said the hostel, which is currently closed, will remain shut until then, according to PA. A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) told PA: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Sri Lanka, and are in contact with the local authorities.' CNN has reached out to the FCDO for further comment. McIntosh's family have launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for their travel to Sri Lanka. 'We are absolutely heartbroken to share that our beautiful baby girl and big sister Ebony has passed away unexpectedly on the Saturday 1st February 2025, thousands of miles away from home,' McIntosh's family wrote on the page. 'Words cannot begin to express how broken we are, it's been like a nightmare since we found out on Sunday morning, we have prayed and prayed that this can't be true. It couldn't possibly happen to our lovely Ebs,' they continued. The family wrote that McIntosh flew from London to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, January 28, to 'follow her dreams of travelling all over South Asia,' and that she was 'full of excitement,' having spent months planning. They added that McIntosh and 'several others' were rushed to hospital on Saturday after suffering from vomiting and nausea, and that McIntosh also had difficulty breathing. The family said she died within a few hours of arriving at the hospital.
