Navy retrieves over 04kg of gold from Puttalam Lagoon

A special search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy near the Baththanangunduwa Island on 08th December 2023, led to the recovery of a parcel weighing over 04kg of gold from the depths of Puttalam Lagoon. It is suspected that the valuable cache of gold has been intentionally sunk underwater by smugglers. The operation also led to the apprehension of 02 suspects and 01 dinghy, believed to be linked to the racket.

The Navy carries out regular search operations and patrols in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to preventing an assortment of nefarious activities stemming via sea routes.

As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command conducted this special operation in the sea area near the Baththanangunduwa Island on 08th December. During this operation, naval personnel recovered a suspicious parcel from the depths of Puttalam Lagoon. Subsequently, the parcel containing over 04kg of gold was taken into naval custody.

It is presumed that the smugglers might have deliberately sunk the gold to evade detection and take them away later. Meanwhile, the Navy apprehended 02 individuals and seized 01 dinghy, believed to be linked to the racket.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Kalpitiya, aged 27 and 35. The accused along with gold and dinghy were handed over to Customs Preventive Office, Katunayake for onward legal proceedings.