Navy seizes smuggled cosmetic products in waters north of Mannar

In a successful search operation, the Sri Lanka Navy seized a stock of smuggled cosmetic products adrift in the Kiranchi sea area, north of Mannar on 16 Apr 25.

The Navy is maintaining vigilant surveillance of the island's coastal waters, carrying out regular patrols and search operations to prevent illegal activities, particularly the smuggling of goods via sea routes.

In continuation of these efforts, the search operation was conducted by Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) personnel attached to SLNS Buwaneka in the North Central Naval Command. During the operation, naval personnel recovered two suspicious parcels floating in the waters, containing a significant haul of items believed to be smuggled. Upon inspection, the parcels were found to hold 3,200 sachet shampoo packets, 376 cosmetic creams, 75 soap bars, and several other items.

It is suspected that smugglers abandoned the consignment due to the Navy's heightened surveillance in the region. The haul of cosmetic products was handed over to the Jayapuram Police for onward legal action.