A person held in Mannar for illegal possession of 3621 conch shells

A coordinated search operation carried out by the Navy and Police in Naayaathuweli of Andankulam, Mannar on 15th February 2024 led to the arrest of a person for illegal possession of 3621 conch shells which were not within the legally accepted limit.

The search operation was conducted by SLNS Buwaneka and SLNS Pussadewa in the North Central Naval Command with the assistance of Divisional Crime Detective Bureau – Mannar. After inspecting a site in Naayaathuweli of Andankulam where conch shells had been stashed, naval and police teams found that the shells exceeded the legally allowed diameter of 70mm. As a result, the person in possession of the shells was arrested.

The suspect held in this operation was identified as a resident of Kandakkuliya, aged 54. The suspects and the stock of conch shells were handed over to the Adampan Police for onward legal proceedings.