Fifteen (15) persons apprehended for engaging in illegal activities
 

Navy apprehended 15 persons for engaging in illegal activities at separate locations of the country over the past few days. The suspects got involved in several nefarious acts such as illegal fishing, transportation and selling of drugs, transportation of explosives and causing damage to mangrove ecosystem when they were apprehended by the Navy.

Naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command, after detection of a suspicious fishing boat, apprehended 06 persons engaged in illegal fishing without fishing passes in the sea area 2.7 nautical miles south of Palaitivu on 24^th September. Along with the suspects, the dinghy and fishing gear used for illegal fishing practices were also taken into naval custody. They were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Jaffna for onward action.

A group of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command in coordination with the Special Task Force in Mullaitivu nabbed a Kerala cannabis peddler on the Beach Road of Kallapadu on 24^th September. The officials also held a motorbike used by the suspect and 530g of Kerala cannabis in his possession. The peddler and his belongings were handed over to the Mullaitivu Police for onward legal action.

A person who was transferring explosives by illegal means at Andankulam was apprehended by naval personnel of the Eastern Naval Command and officials attached to the Special Task Force in Sardhapura on 25^th September. The suspect had 10 water gel sticks, 17 non electric detonators and 32.10-foot safety fuses in his possession. The truck used for the transfer of explosives was also taken into custody. The apprehended person, truck and explosives were handed over to the Uppuweli Police for onward legal action.

A team of naval personnel belonging to the North Central Naval Command, during routine foot patrol, collared 2 persons engaged in mangrove destruction in the beach area of Narivilakulam on 26^th September. During the raid, naval personnel also recovered 32 bundles of mangrove, 02 knives and a dinghy. The suspects and the remaining items were handed over to the Forest Officer of Mannar for further investigation.

Upon the request of the Assistant Director of Fisheries of Puttalam, naval personnel attached to the Northwestern Naval Command in coordination with officials from the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Puttalam nabbed 03 persons engaged in illegal fishing, during a search carried out in the sea area of Ambanthive on 26^th September. During the arrest, 03 unauthorized fishing nets and 02 traditional boats (Wallam) belonging to the suspects were also taken into the naval custody. The apprehended persons and other items were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries of Puttalam for onward legal action.

A group of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command nabbed 02 persons who were transferring explosives by illegal means in the locality of Erakkandi on 29^th September. The Navy also took into custody 10 water gel sticks, a boat pass and a motorbike used for the transfer of explosives. The apprehended suspects along with the explosives, the motorbike and the boat pass were handed over to the Kuchchaweli Police for onward legal action.