Navy arrests 9 persons engaged in illegal activities
 

Sri Lanka Navy arrested 9 persons engaged in illegal activities in separate locations in the country over the last few days. They were taken into naval custody for engaging in illegal fishing activities and keeping illegal drugs in possession.

Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command apprehended 04 persons for engaging in illegal fishing practices using unauthorized fishing nets in the sea area of Kinniya on 06^th November 2017. The Navy also seized a canoe, 200 m long unauthorized fishing net and a pair of diving fins. The apprehended persons and fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Muthur for onward action.

On receipt of an intelligence tip-off, naval personnel attached to the Northwestern Naval Command in coordination with Silawatura Police nabbed 02 persons engaged in illegal fishing using gelignite in Sawaripuram sea area on 07^th November. Along with the suspects, a dinghy, 08 sticks of gelignite, 08 non electric detonators and 08 safety fuses were also taken into naval custody. The 02 persons and items were handed over to the Silawathura Police for onward legal action.

Meanwhile, naval troops attached to the Eastern Naval Command together with STF personnel in Trincomalee arrested 02 suspects with 554 tablets of tramadol, during a raid carried out in the general area of Thileinagar on 08^th November. Tramadol is a prescription drug illegally used for intoxication. The drug has been banned to be sold and kept in possession without medical prescription.  The arrested suspects and drugs were handed over to the Trincomalee Police for legal action.

Naval personnel belonging to the North Central Naval Command, during a search conducted in the general area of Pali Aru apprehended a person for engaging in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets on 09^th November. A dinghy and a 500 m long unauthorized fishing net were also seized along with the person. The apprehended person and belongings were produced before the Fisheries Directorate in Mannar for onward action.