Navy nabs 04 suspects with smuggled goods and pets in Kalpitiya and Puttalam

In separate search operations conducted in Alankuda sea area of Kalpitiya and Thoduwawa in Puttalam on 23 Apr 25, the Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 04 suspects along with smuggled spices, clothing, smartphones, electrical appliances and pet birds. The operations also resulted in the seizure of a dinghy and a cab in connection to these illegal acts.

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

During a pre-dawn operation in the Alankuda sea area, SLNS Vijaya of the Northwestern Naval Command intercepted a suspicious dinghy, leading to the apprehension of 02 suspects along with 240kg of cardamom, 200kg of cardamom seeds and 59 smartphones, attempted to be smuggled.

In the same vein, SLNS Thambapanni, during a search in the Thoduwawa area, inspected a suspicious cab and recovered another stock of goods and pet birds believed to be smuggled into the country. Among the recovered items were; 75kg of cardamom, 83 ladies clothing, 01 TV, 80 chemical bottles, 566 soft drink bottles and 80 pigeons. Accordingly, 02 suspects, the cab and the items were taken into naval custody.

The suspects held in these operations were identified as residents of Kalpitiya and Colombo 14, from 26 to 48 years of age. The suspects together with apprehended items were handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for onward legal action.