Navy recovers Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 50 Mn gross street value in northern waters

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of about 126kg and 300g (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis adrift in waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area of Delft Island, Jaffna in the wee hours of 07th December 2024.

The Navy keeps a round-the-clock vigil in the coastal and sea areas of the island with a view to preventing nefarious activities taking place via sea routes.

As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Wasabha in the Northern Naval Command conducted this operation, deploying Inshore Patrol Craft. The operation led to the recovery of 44 suspicious polythene packages drifting in the Delft sea area. The packages contained about 126kg and 300g (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis.

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. 50 million. The stock of Kerala cannabis has been kept in the safe custody of the Navy until it is produced for onward legal action.