COLOMBO, May 27 -- A nationwide special police operation targeting organized crime and narcotics has led to the arrest of 589 individuals, including 24 identified as having direct links to major criminal networks.

The district-level search and suppression operation was conducted across all regional police divisions on Tuesday (26) under the direct instructions of the Inspector General of Police, according to the Police Media Division.

During the coordinated sweep, police detained 27,432 individuals for checks and questioning as part of intensified enforcement efforts aimed at combating serious crime and drug-related activity.

Authorities said 24 of those detained were identified as principal suspects connected to organized criminal ope...