Three (03) suspects with Kerala cannabis valued over Rs. 47 million held in northern seas

A search operation conducted by the Navy in the sea area off Kovilan, Kareinagar in Jaffna on 27 Jun 25 resulted in the interception of a dinghy (01) with approx. 209kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis. The operation also resulted in the apprehension of 03 suspects in connection to the smuggling racket.

The search operation was conducted by deploying craft belonging to SLNS Elara in the Northern Naval Command. Upon interception of the suspicious dinghy off Kovilan, naval personnel recovered 73 packages of Kerala cannabis in 06 sacks from the dinghy. The consignment weighed around 209kg in its wet weight. Additionally, the suspects and the dinghy involved in this illegal act were also taken into naval custody.

The gross street value of the stock of Kerala cannabis held in this operation is believed to exceed Rs. 47 million.

The suspects were identified as residents of Guru Nagar and Analativu in Jaffna, from 26 to 43 years of age. The suspects, together with Kerala cannabis and the dinghy were handed over to the Kayts Police for onward legal action.