700.3 kg of beedi leaves recovered during naval operations

The Navy, during search operations carried out in Punguduthivu and northern seas on 17^th August 2019, recovered several hauls of beedi leaves.

Northern Naval Command, during a foot patrol conducted in the beach area of the Punguduthivu Island, recovered a suspicious parcel washed ashore and found 84kg of beedi leaves in the package.

Meanwhile, the same command, during a patrol conducted in the seas northwest of the Delft Island, found another 616.3kg-haul of beedi leaves floating in waters. The recovered beedi leaves were in 08 packages when seized.

As such, the Northern Naval Command found 700.3 kg of beedi leaves in total, during naval operations conducted on 17th August at two separate locations. The stock of beedi leaves is due to be handed over to the Jaffna Customs for onward investigation.

As a result of continuous patrols conducted, the drug traffickers had found it difficult to sneak through the grasp of the Navy. Further, the Navy remains vigilant over this kind of illegal activities taking place in island’s territorial waters.