A haul of beedi leaves recovered during naval operations

Naval personnel, during search operations conducted at the Kachchativu Island and in northern sea area recovered 50kg of beedi leaves on 31^st July 2019.

A group of naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command, during a foot patrol in the southern part of the Kachchativu Island found a parcel containing 30kg of beedi leaves washed ashore.

Further, naval personnel onboard a Fast Gun Boat attached to the Northern Naval Command whilst patrolling in the seas off the Delft Island had found another suspicious parcel floating in the waters. When the parcel was unpacked, there was 20kg of beedi leaves in it.

The seized consignment of beedi leaves is due to be handed over to the Jaffna Customs for onward action. It is believed that the smugglers might have left behind the consignment of beedi leaves as a result of continuous naval operations.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy also intercepted a fishing dhow carrying 06 Indian nationals with 2379kg of beedi leaves, in northwestern seas of Sri Lanka on 29^th July 2019.