Navy seizes smuggled stock of Tendu leaves and foreign fags in northwestern waters

The Sri Lanka Navy, during a patrol conducted on 21st December 2024, took hold of a smuggled consignment of Kendu leaves and foreign cigarettes which were adrift off the Kudiramalei Point. The consignment included about 2129kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves and 9980 foreign fags.

The patrol was conducted by SLNS Edithara II, attached to the Western Naval Command, off the Kudiramalei Point, where 64 suspicious parcels adrift in waters were retrieved. The parcels contained about 2129kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves and 9980 foreign fags, suspected to be smuggled into the country.

It is believed that the smugglers may have left this stock of Kendu leaves and foreign cigarettes in the sea area due to constant naval operations. Meanwhile, the seized items have been kept in the naval custody until they are produced for onward legal proceedings.