Navy seizes 485kg of Kerala cannabis attempted to be smuggled by sea

During two search operations carried out in northern seas today (14^th March 2020), the Navy has been able to seize 485kg of Kerala cannabis. Incidentally, Sri Lanka Navy managed to seize approximately 02 tons of Kerala cannabis by naval operations conducted at sea and on land during the past 75 days of this year.

Naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command, during a search operation in the sea area of Manalkadu today have intercepted a suspicious dinghy and apprehended 02 suspects along with a stock of Kerala cannabis. Similarly, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and officers of Sankanei Excise Station have also seized several parcels of Kerala cannabis adrift in the sea area of Maradankeni. Meanwhile, they also managed to find a suspicious dinghy left behind at the beach. As such, about 485kg of Kerala cannabis, 02 suspects and 02 dinghies have been taken into custody during these two operations.

The suspects have been identified as residents of Pesalai, Mannar aged 30 and 34. Meanwhile the Jaffna Police Narcotic Bureau and Kankasanrhurai police are conducting further investigation into the incidents.

The Navy has been able to bring a number of drug smugglers to justice, during successful anti-drug operations conducted in a bid to keep a tight rein on smuggling of drugs. Accordingly, over the past 75 days; 1682kg of Kerala cannabis from the Northern Naval Command, 181kg from the Northwestern Naval Command, 19kg from the Southern Naval Command, 21kg from the North Central Naval Command and 10kg of Kerala cannabis from rest of the Naval Commands have been seized, taking the total to a staggering amount of 1913kg. Accordingly, 69 suspects in connection to these illegal acts have been taken into custody, this year alone.