Navy takes hold of 07 suspects for smuggling 1146kg of dried sea cucumber in Kalpitiya seas

The Sri Lanka Navy thwarted smuggling attempts, taking into custody 07 suspects and 03 dinghies carrying 1,146kg of dried sea cucumber during separate operations conducted on 05 and 06 Mar 26, in the Mohoththuwaram and Keerimundalama sea areas, Kalpitiya.

In an operation spearheaded by Uchchamunai Naval Detachment belonging to SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command, 02 suspects were nabbed with 418kg of dried sea cucumber and a dinghy in the Mohoththuwaram sea area.

In the same vein, another search operation mounted by Uchchamunai Naval Detachment in Keerimundalama seas made way for the seizure of 728kg of and 02 dinghies, along with 05 suspects.

The suspects held in these operations were identified as residents of Kalpitiya, between 24 and 51 years of age. The suspects together with the stocks of dried sea cucumber were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office, Katunayake and Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Office, Puttalam for onward legal action.