Navy takes hold of approx. 506kg of smuggled Tendu leaves in separate operations

The Navy took hold of about 506kg (wet weight) of smuggled Tendu leaves, during separate search operations conducted in the beach areas of Puttalam and Mannar on 20th September 2024.

Accordingly, SLNS Thambapanni in the Northwestern Naval Command held about 469kg and 300g (wet weight) of Tendu leaves in 13 sack, washed ashore at the Sinnapadu and Daluwa beaches on 20th September. During another search operation, SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command recovered a parcel containing Tendu leaves weighing about 36kg and 700g (wet weight), washed ashore at South Bar in Mannar. Thus, these operations led to the seizure of about 506kg (wet weight) of smuggled Tendu leaves in total.

The consignment of Tendu leaves held in Puttalam will be handed over to the Excise Station in Puttalam for onward legal action. Meanwhile, Tendu leaves recovered in the beach vicinity of South Bar have been kept in the safe custody of the Navy, until it is handed over to authorities for legal action.

Additionally, through operations conducted in 2024, the Sri Lanka Navy has successfully seized over 48,000kg of smuggled Tendu leaves in 88 separate instances.