Over 280,000 Arrested in 2025 Anti-Drug Crackdown - Minister Ananda Wijepala

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that authorities have seized significant quantities of narcotics so far in 2025 and arrested more than 280,000 suspects in connection with drug-related offences.

Presenting figures from January 1, 2025, the Minister said law enforcement agencies had confiscated 2,020 kilograms of heroin, 4,013 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), 15,564 kilograms of cannabis and 43.3 kilograms of cocaine.

In addition, authorities seized 4.8 million narcotic pills and 2.1 million illicit cigarettes during the same period. A total of 281,320 suspects were arrested in connection with these offences, he said.

Comparing the data with 2024, the Minister noted a sharp increase in heroin seizures, which rose from 832 kilograms last year to 1,826 kilograms this year — an increase of nearly 1,000 kilograms.

He added that other categories also recorded increases in 2025, with 3,865 kilograms of ICE and 17,189 kilograms of cannabis seized compared to the previous year, underscoring intensified enforcement efforts against drug trafficking networks.