Navy apprehends 02 suspects with controlled drugs in Kalpitiya seas

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended two (02) suspects and seized a cache of controlled drugs, during a search operation carried out in the waters off Kalpitiya on the evening of 09th November 2023. The dedicated operation paved the way to intercept a dinghy carrying 570,000 capsules of Pregabalin, a type of controlled drug.

To curb unlawful activities within Sri Lanka's maritime and coastal territories, the Navy maintains a continuous vigilance and carries out regular operations. Accordingly, SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command mounted this special operation off the Iranamtivu Island, deploying a small craft. The search led to the interception of a suspicious dinghy which was smuggling 570,000 capsules of Pregabalin. Apart from the dinghy and the cache of controlled drugs, the Navy also nabbed 02 suspects aboard.

The apprehended individuals were identified as residents of Norochcholei, who are from 33 to 39 years of age. The suspects, together with the capsules of Pregabalin and the dinghy will be handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Bureau in Puttalam for onward legal proceedings.