COLOMBO, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Assets worth 4.5 billion rupees (around 15 million dollars) of criminal gang members were confiscated in recent months, a senior police officer said on Saturday.

Addressing the media, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Western Province North Range, Nishantha de Zoysa, said these assets were seized through the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

He said they will also establish a new police division named Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division to strengthen investigations into assets gained from illegal activities.

He added that they are carrying out operations to arrest criminals and seize weapons used by them to ensure the safety of the people.