Navy seizes over 104kg of Kerala cannabis

The Navy seized a large haul of Kerala cannabis during a special search operation conducted in the sea area of Kusumanthurei, Jaffna on 12th June 2020.

The Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular search operations to curb the smuggling of drugs via sea routes. During a similar operation carried out in the sea area of Kusumanthurei, Jaffna, naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command had spotted a dinghy approaching the shore and people on it transferring sacks from the dinghy to the land. Responding promptly to the situation, the naval personnel on patrol reached the scene of suspicious action. When seen the approach of the Navy, the suspects had returned to sea leaving some sacks in the shore. During further investigation the Navy recovered over 57kg of Kerala cannabis (25 packages) in those sacks.

The Navy immediately carried out a special operation in search of the fleeing dinghy and the suspects. Subsequently, the dinghy and two (02) persons aboard were taken into custody by the Navy at Madagal area. Later, on information received from those persons, the Navy was able to seize more than 46kg of Kerala cannabis in 13 parcels abandoned at sea. Accordingly, the Navy managed to seize a total of over 104kg of Kerala cannabis (with wet weight), 02 dinghies and apprehend 02 suspects during this operation.

The suspects along with the haul of Kerala cannabis and dinghy were handed over to the Ilavalai Police for onward investigation.