More than 12,000 suspects have been arrested by police up to yesterday as part of the ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) operation launched countrywide targeting narcotics traffickers and their distribution networks.

The vast majority of those arrested, however, have been released on bail, police confirmed.

Exact figures were unavailable as to how many remained in custody as of last evening. Police said 12,132 suspects had been arrested in 12,247 raids from December 17 to 22. They comprise 11,663 males and 469 females. Detention orders had either been obtained or were being obtained for 636 of the arrested suspects, while 151 were being subjected to asset investigations. Another 998 suspects have been sent for rehabilitation.

During the raids, drug seizures totalled 8.4 kilograms of heroin, 4.3 kilograms of Ice, 269 kilograms of cannabis, 235,680 cannabis plants, 163 kilograms of other drugs and 64,882 narcotic pills.

Police have also seized the alleged drug traffickers’ assets, amounting to about Rs. 300 million. They include vehicles, houses, and commercial properties.

Thousands of police and Special Task Force personnel were deployed for the operation. They were also assisted by military personnel.

The operation is a concept of Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and is being personally led by Acting Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon.

While the authorities insist that the operation has brought results, it has also been criticised for several reasons, including alleged heavy-handed tactics by the police.