Navy seizes about 555kg of smuggled Tendu leaves and apprehends 03 suspects

The Navy seized about 555kg (wet weight) of smuggled Tendu leaves and apprehended 03 suspects and a dinghy, during separate operations conducted in the Negombo lagoon and Handala sea area on 06th December 2024.

During a search operation in the Handala sea area, Fast Attack Craft of the Western Naval Command recovered 20 packages, weighing approximately 555kg (wet weight), of smuggled Tendu leaves floating in the water. Meanwhile, SLNS Kelani intercepted a dinghy in the Negombo lagoon, carrying three suspects believed to have dumped the packages into the sea.

The suspects, identified as residents of Vennappuwa and Madurankuliya, aged 42 to 47, were taken into custody. The Tendu leaves, along with the suspects and the dinghy, were handed over to the Excise Department Office in Negombo for further legal action.