Navy seizes local multiday fishing trawler with over 210 kg of heroin and hashish valued over Rs. 4728 Mn on high seas west of Galle

Based on information derived from a coordinated intelligence operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police Narcotic Bureau, a drug-carrying local multiday fishing trawler was intercepted by SLCG Samudraraksha. The intercepted local multiday fishing trawler was escorted to the Dondra fisheries harbour, where the careful search with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, over 210 kg (including packages) of heroin and hashish were recovered from the trawler this morning (22nd October 2023). The special operation mounted about 91 nautical miles (about 168km) off west of Galle, also led to the apprehension of suspects aboard. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, arrived at the Dondra fisheries harbour this morning to personally inspect the seized consignment of narcotics, which had been seized following his directives.

To realize the national aspiration of eliminating the drug menace in Sri Lanka, the Navy collaborates closely with the country's law enforcement agencies, conducting regular operations in island waters with constant vigil.

During this dedicated operation led by the SL Navy and Police Narcotic Bureau, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Samudraraksha intercepted the local fishing trawler on suspicion about 91 nautical miles (about 168km) off west of Galle in the evening of 20th October. Subsequently, the suspicious trawler was escorted to the Dondra fisheries harbour for further search.

Upon being brought ashore, the suspicious trawler underwent thorough search this morning (22nd October) where 160 packages of heroin, weighing about 179 kg and 140 g (including packages), and 28 parcels of hashish, weighing around 31 kg and 296 g (including packages), contained in 12 sacks were recovered. Moreover, the drug-carrying fishing trawler and suspects aboard were also taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the street value of the seized consignment of drugs weighing around 210 kg and 436 g held in this operation is believed to be over Rs. 4728 million.

The suspects apprehended in this operation were identified as residents of Dondra and Koottegoda areas from 27 to 53 years of age. The suspects along with the stock of narcotic drugs and the fishing trawler were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.

At the directives of the President, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe and under the guidance of the Secretary of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), the Navy has effectively conducted several successful drug raids by coordinating intelligence services, aligning them towards a shared objective. It is in this backdrop, the Navy continues its relentless efforts, under the able leadership of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force to Combat the Use of Poisonous and Dangerous Drugs.

Including the latest seizure, the Sri Lanka Navy has held drugs with a gross street value of over Rs. 15,888 million during operations mounted in 2023. Sri Lanka Navy is committed to coordinating with other law enforcement authorities, to carry out anti-drug operations of this nature in order to foil drug smuggling attempts being made in the guise of fishing.