Sri Lankan authorities destroy 770 kg of cocaine

Sri Lankan authorities have publicly destroyed 770 kilograms of cocaine. This move by Sri Lankan authorities aims at deterring smugglers from using the Indian Ocean island nation as a transit point for drug distribution in the region. The cocaine was seized by police and custom officials in 2016 and 2017.

Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities have publicly destroyed 770 kilograms of cocaine in a bid to deter smugglers from using the Indian Ocean island nation as a transit point for drug distribution in the region.

Police officers first liquefied the cocaine, which was packed in more than two dozen sacks in front of two magistrates at a warehouse outside the capital Colombo.

It was then taken to be disposed in a cement kiln north of the capital.

The cocaine was seized by police and custom officials in 2016 and 2017.

Monday's event came as Sri Lanka's president pledged to end a 43-year moratorium on capital punishment and execute condemned drug traffickers.

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