A suspect with about 189kg of smuggled Tendu leaves held in Kalpitiya

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the Kudawa beach area, Kalpitiya on 21st July 2024 resulted in the apprehension of a suspect (01) and the seizure of approximately 189kg of smuggled Tendu leaves. Additionally, the Navy also confiscated a dinghy used for the racket.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas of the island, with a view to prevent the influx of a wide range of illegal items into the island.

As part of these ongoing efforts, SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command carried out this operation in the Kudawa beach area where the suspect was nabbed whilst he was unloading sacks of Tendu leaves from the dinghy. The 06 sacks of Tendu leaves, which were seized, weighed about 189kg. Naval personnel also confiscated a dinghy used for this illegal act.

The suspect held in this operation was identified as a resident of Kalpitiya, aged 30. The suspect along with the stock of Tendu leaves and the dinghy was handed over to the Excise Special Unit, Northwestern Province for onward legal action.