Navy collars 02 suspects with 675kg of Kendu leaves in Kalpitiya

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the sea area of Paramunai, Kalpitiya on the night of 01 Apr 25, led to the interception of a dinghy (01) and apprehension of two (02) suspects, while smuggling about 675kg of Kendu leaves.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas of the island, with a view to prevent the influx of a wide range of illegal items into the island.

As an extension of these efforts, a team of Special Boat Squadron attached to SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command made this apprehension, during a search operation mounted in the Paramunai sea area. The search resulted in the interception of a suspicious dinghy, leading to the recovery of 20 sacks of Kendu leaves weighing about 675kg. Further, the Navy collared 02 suspects in connection to the smuggling racket.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Janasavipura and Singhapura in Kalpitiya, aged 27 and 29. The suspects together with the consignment of Kendu leaves and the dinghy were handed over to the Excise Special Unit of Northwestern Province for onward legal action.