Four (04) suspects nabbed with 706.32kg of beedi leaves

A group of naval personnel attached to the North Central Naval Command nabbed 04 suspects with 15 packs of beedi leaves during a search carried out in the sea area of Urumalei, Mannar yesterday (10^th March). Meanwhile, Navy Marines during further operations conducted seized 03 more packs containing beedi leaves at Sand Dunes IV in Mannar.

Accordingly, a total of 706.32kg of beedi leaves has been found by the Navy. The consignment is believed to have been smuggled from India into the country. The arrested persons are residents of Pesalei in Mannar, aged 26, 33, 34 and 39. The suspects along with the stock of beedi leaves were handed over to the Jaffna Customs for onward investigation.

Besides, the Navy recovered a haul of beedi leaves (39.8kg) floating in the seas south of the Delft Island yesterday as well. As such, the Navy has seized 2652.27kg of beedi leaves attempted to be smuggled into the island, thus far in year 2019.