Navy recovers Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 27 Mn gross street value in northern waters

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of over 83kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis adrift in waters, during a patrol conducted in the sea area of Delft, Jaffna on 22nd August 2023.

The Navy keeps a round-the-clock vigil in the coastal and sea areas of the island with a view to preventing nefarious activities taking place via sea routes.

As an extension of these operations, SLNS Ranawickrama in the Northern Naval Command carried out a patrol in the sea area of Delft on 22nd April and recovered 22 suspicious packages adrift in waters. The sacks contained about 83kg and 200g (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis. It is suspected that smugglers might have abandoned the consignment of Kerala cannabis being unable to fetch them into the country, due to constant naval operations.

Meanwhile, the gross street value of seized Kerala cannabis is believed to be over Rs. 27 million. The stock of Kerala cannabis has been kept in the safe custody of the Navy until it is produced for onward legal action.