Kerala cannabis with a street value of over Rs. 132 million held by Navy in Negombo

A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the Mankuliya Lagoon of Negombo today (21st September 2023) led to the apprehension of a dinghy loaded with over 400kg of Kerala cannabis.

The Navy conducts regular search operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to prevent the influx of drugs into the country. As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Kelani in the Western Naval Command mounted this operation in the Mankuliya Lagoon on 21st September. During this operation, naval personnel spotted a suspicious dinghy in the lagoon and recovered 10 packages of Kerala cannabis concealed in the dinghy. The consignment of Kerala cannabis weighed about 400kg and 810g. Accordingly, the stock of cannabis and the dinghy were taken into the naval custody.

Meanwhile, the gross street value of the consignment of Kerala cannabis is believed to be over Rs. 132 million.

The seized consignment of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy were handed over to the Negombo Excise Station for onward legal action.