Navy takes hold of Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 14 million in northern waters

A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the Veththalakerni beach vicinity, Jaffna on the morning of 24th December 2023 led to the recovery of more than 35kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis washed ashore.

The Navy keeps a round-the-clock vigil in the coastal and sea areas of the island with a view to prevent nefarious activities taking place via sea routes. As an extension of these operations, the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command carried out the special search operation in the Veththalakerni beach area, where a suspicious sack washed ashore was recovered. After further search of the sack, naval personnel found about 35kg and 100g (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis stuffed in 16 packages.

It is suspected that smugglers might have abandoned the consignment of Kerala cannabis being unable to fetch them into the country, due to constant naval operations. Meanwhile, the gross street value of seized Kerala cannabis is believed to be over Rs. 14 million.

The stock of Kerala cannabis has been kept in the naval custody until it is handed over to authorities for onward action.