Navy nabs 02 suspects with smuggled sea cucumber and shark fins in Puttalam

A special search operation carried out by the Navy in Serakkuliya, Puttalam in the wee hours today (09th February 2023) led to the apprehension of 02 suspects with 239kg (wet weight) of sea cucumber and 921kg (wet weight) of shark fins smuggled into the island. During this operation, the Navy also seized 02 lorries used for this illegal act.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas of the island to prevent a wide range of nefarious activities. In a similar effort, the apprehension was made by SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command in Serakkuliya area this morning. The naval personnel engaged in the search operation have spotted 02 suspicious lorries parked in the locality and recovered these items upon search of the vehicles. There were 04 sacks filled with 239kg (wet weight) of sea cucumber and 19 more sacks stuffed with 921kg (wet weight) of shark fins which were made ready to be transferred. Incidentally, the smuggled consignments, 02 lorries and 02 suspects were taken into the naval custody.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Puttalam and Aluth Eluwankulama, aged 41 and 48. The accused along with the consignment of sea cucumber and shark fins and the lorry will be handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for onward legal action.