Over 660kg of smuggled Kendu leaves held in Puttalam

A coordinated search operation conducted by the Navy and Norochcholai Police near the Karambe Junction roadblock in Puttalam on 03rd September 2023 led to the apprehension of a lorry with over 660kg of smuggled Kendu leaves and a suspect in connection to the incident.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas around the island, with a view to prevent the influx of smuggled and illegal items into the island.

On receipt of information to the Navy, the coordinated search was carried out by SLNS Thambapanni in the Northwestern Naval Command and Norochcholai Police at the Karambe Junction roadblock on 03rd September. During this operation the naval and Police personnel had searched a lorry travelling from Kalpitiya to Kurunegala and recovered 24 packages of smuggled Kendu leaves inside the vehicle. The packages contained about 660kg and 500g of Kendu leaves which were held along with the lorry and the suspect involved in this illegal act.

The apprehended suspect is a resident of Wattala, aged 26. The suspect, together with smuggled consignment of Kendu leaves and the lorry was handed over to the Customs Preventive Office, Katunayake for onward legal proceedings.