The factory at Galewela which made tobacco out of dried Papaya leaves cut into small pieces

The Police Special Task Force raided a small scale factory in Puwakpitiya, Nabadagahawatte, Galewela where Papaya leaves were being dried.

This raid was carried out on a tip-off received about a place where Papaya leaves were being dried and mixed in with Beedi and Tobacco leaves.

The Police STF discovered equipment that was used to cut up very finely Papaya Leaves deploying employees while drying them in large quantities.

When an inquiry was made from the individual maintaining this business, he had said that Papaya leaves were dried and chopped up finely and handed over to another person to be exported to Australia.

It was revealed though that no permission had been obtained either to send medications abroad or to manufacture medicines from State Pharmaceuticals Corporation or the Local Ayurveda Department.

During a subsequent search at this place, it was revealed that a white powder and another yellowish chemical powder was being mixed into these dried Papaya leaves which had been chopped very finely.

Large quantities of the finely chopped as well as dried Papaya Leaves were taken into the custody of the STF and the factory was sealed.

The STF officers had informed the owner of the factory to produce today the business documents relevant to the factory, which he had said he had in his possession.