A consignment of smuggled dried turmeric and cardamom seized in northwestern seas

A special operation carried out by the Navy in northwestern seas on 05th January 2021, led to the seizure of 1680kg of dried turmeric and 150kg of cardamom attempted to be smuggled into the island and apprehension of 04 Indian nationals along with an Indian dhow.

After having spotted a suspicious Indian dhow in Sri Lankan territorial waters north of Kudiramalei Point, Puttalam, the Northwestern Naval Command deployed Inshore Patrol Craft to intercept the suspicious dhow. During further search, about 1680kg of dried turmeric in 57 sacks and around 150kg of cardamom in 05 sacks were recovered from the dhow. Along with these consignments and the dhow, 04 Indian nationals aboard were also apprehended by the Navy. It is believed that the racketeers might have plotted to transfer the consignments of turmeric and cardamom to a local vessel at sea.

The entire operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 preventive guidelines and the Indian nationals held during this operation along with the stocks of dried turmeric and cardamom were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for onward legal action. Meanwhile, the Indian dhow is detained in the custody of the Navy for onward investigation.

Further, Sri Lanka Navy will remain to conduct operations in island’s territorial waters to prevent this nature of illegal activities.