Police have arrested five suspects, including a woman, in connection with the shooting and killing of 54-year-old Mohamed Asmin Moideen, who is reportedly a close relative of organised crime figure ‘Kanjipani Imran’.
The shooting took place at around 1.20 p.m. on August 10 on Sri Sangharaja Mawatha in Maligawatta, within the Kotahena Police Division. Police suspect that the killing was allegedly orchestrated by ‘Kudu Anju’, an organised crime figure who is currently believed to be in France.
The suspects were arrested yesterday (17) based on information received by officers of the Colombo North Division Criminal Investigation Unit, who had been investigating the killing. They are suspected of providing assistance and support for the crime.
An accused man and woman were arrested with 25 grams and 840 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’, and were produced before the Kotahena Police.
The male suspect is 21 years old, while the female suspect is 23. Both are residents of Colombo 15, according to police.
The other three suspects, aged 19, 25 and 28, were arrested with 12 grams and 380 milligrams of Ice and a motorcycle allegedly used in the crime. They are residents of Mattakkuliya, Dompe and Mulleriyawa.
The shooting had targeted the owner of a building materials shop on Sri Sangharaja Mawatha. Two individuals who arrived on a motorcycle allegedly carried out the shooting before fleeing the scene.
The victim was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital with gunshot injuries but later succumbed to his injuries.
Police suspect that the killing may have been carried out in retaliation for the recent killing of a close associate of ‘Kudu Anju’ in the Ratmalana area.
