16,000 illegal foreign cigarettes seized with 02 suspects in coordinated busts

In a coordinated series of search operations, the Sri Lanka Navy, Police and the Police Special Task Force (STF) seized a significant cache of foreign cigarettes (16,000) and apprehended two (02) suspects on 25 and 29 Dec 25.

The search operation on 25 December was led by SLNS Rangalla in the Western Naval Command in collaboration with the Harbour Police, Colombo. During this search at the Colombo Port, one (01) suspect was arrested in possession of approximately 1,000 foreign cigarettes prepared for illegal sale.

In the subsequent operation on 29 December, SLNS Gemunu worked in coordination with the Police STF, Gonahena in the Peralanda area of Ragama. This raid led to the arrest of another suspect (01) found with a stock of about 15,000 foreign cigarettes, held for illicit sale.

The individuals, identified as 54 and 65-year-old residents of Beliatta and Ragama respectively, were handed over along with the confiscated goods to the Colombo Harbour Police and Ragama Police stations for onward legal proceedings.