The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into unauthorized access to the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) of the Police Narcotics Bureau, which is used to monitor multi-day fishing vessels and boats suspected of transporting narcotics.
Investigations have revealed that 57 different IP addresses accessed the system and that sensitive information may have fallen into the hands of drug traffickers.
In the past, the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Sri Lanka Navy have seized large quantities of narcotics through VMS-based inspections, which track vessels involved in drug trafficking.
In this context, the investigation was launched on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police after information was received that, in addition to authorized investigation officers, drug traffickers had also gained access to the system.
Further investigations have been initiated on the instructions of Deputy Inspector General of Police (Narcotics Bureau), Ashoka Dharmasena, to identify the individuals who accessed the system using the 57 IP addresses and obtained confidential information.
Meanwhile, the password of the VMS has been changed to prevent unauthorized access. It has now been provided only to the Deputy Inspector General of Police and the Director of the Narcotics Bureau.
In addition, five Sub-Inspectors attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau have been transferred with immediate effect based on information indicating that they were in contact with drug traffickers.
The Police Special Investigation Bureau has also launched a special probe into the assets and liabilities of all officers serving in the Police Narcotics Bureau.
Police stated that out of the 400 officers currently serving in the unit, 20 officers have already submitted their asset and liability declarations. Any officer found to possess suspicious assets or liabilities will be immediately removed from the unit, subjected to further investigations, and, if found guilty, will face severe punishment.
