Navy takes hold of smuggled stock of Kendu leaves in Kalpitiya sea area

Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a smuggled consignment of Kendu leaves weighing about 150 kg (wet weight), during a patrol carried out in Lunuwila sea area of Kalpitiya on 28th December 2022. The consignment was adrift in the sea area when it was spotted by the Navy.

The recovery of the stock was made by SLNS Suranimila, attached to the Western Naval Command, patrolling in the sea area of Lunuwila on the morning of 28th December. Accordingly, the Navy retrieved 03 suspicious packages adrift at sea and found that the packages were stuffed with Kendu leaves weighing about 150kg (wet weight).

It is believed that the smugglers may have left this stock of Kendu leaves in the sea area due to constant naval operations. Meanwhile, the contraband item has been kept in the naval custody until it is produced for onward legal proceedings.

The Navy has seized about 15133 kg of Kendu leaves attempted to be smuggled thus far in the year 2022. Meanwhile, 19 suspects held in those separate naval operations have been produced for onward legal proceedings.