Ninety two (92) kg of beedi leaves and 20 capsules of prescription drug seized by Navy

The Navy seized over 92kg of beedi leaves, during two separate patrols conducted about 120 nautical miles off the Galle Lighthouse on 05^th February 2020.

The Navy has been conducting a number of search operations in island’s waters to ward off drug smuggling. As part of these operations, an SLN vessel patrolling in the sea area about 110 nautical miles off the Galle Lighthouse has spotted several packages floating in water. As the parcels were salvaged and unpacked, there were wet beedi leaves, weighing about 40kg. Accordingly, the consignment was taken into naval custody.

Meanwhile, the Navy managed to intercept a suspicious trawler in the same sea area on 05th February and found 52kg of beedi leaves and 20 capsules of prescription drugs in the possession of 06 persons aboard. Accordingly, the accused who are from Beruwala and Monaragala areas aged 20 to 42 were held by the Navy. For onward action in relation to the suspects, beedi leaves, drugs and trawler they were handed over to Wattala Police through the Department of Costal Conservation.