Assets of 88 crime and fraud suspects seized

18-Jun-2025

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The police have frozen the assets of 88 individuals linked to organized crime and financial fraud. 

Among them, 26 individuals are associated with drug trafficking and organized criminal gangs, while the remaining are connected to financial misconduct.

The frozen assets include land, houses, bank accounts, vehicles, jewelry, commercial buildings, and paddy fields. This action has been taken as a measure to curb the accumulation of wealth through illegal means.

Between December 2024 and January 2025, authorities seized illegal assets valued at approximately USD 22.4 million. 

In May, through a special gazette notification, the government announced the freezing of assets belonging to 15 terrorist organizations and 117 individuals.

According to police sources, at least 58 organized criminal gangs have been identified so far, with some of their leaders operating from abroad.

The newly enacted Anti-Money Laundering Act, recently passed by Parliament, has granted additional powers to law enforcement agencies to seize illegal income and recover stolen assets. 

Investigations related to these matters are being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.