Navy recovers about 778kg of smuggled dried turmeric in Puttalam

A search operation conducted by the Navy in the beach vicinity stretching from Wellamundalama to Kolankanaththa in Puttalam in the evening of 17th July 2024 led to the recovery of about 778kg (wet weight) of dried turmeric. It is suspected that the consignment of dried turmeric was smuggled into the country via sea routes.

The Sri Lanka Navy remains ever alert and conducts patrols and search operations in the coastal areas of the island to prevent the influx of illegal items.

As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Thambapanni in the Northwestern Naval Command conducted this search operation in the beach vicinity stretching from Wellamundalama to Kolankanaththa. During the operation, naval personnel recovered 26 suspicious sacks in nearby shrubs and held 778kg (wet weight) of dried turmeric stuffed in them.

The haul of dried turmeric has been kept in the custody of the Navy until onward investigation into the incident gets underway.