123kg heroin found in fishing vessel; Another boat intercepted off Beruwala

Colombo, March 16 (Daily Mirror) - A multi-day fishing vessel intercepted in the sea area south of Devundara was carrying nearly 123 kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value of close to Rs. 3 billion, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said.

The vessel was brought to Dikkowita Harbour this morning (March 16), where the Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau conducted inspections and confirmed that the seized substance was heroin.

According to officials, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted the multi-day fishing vessel yesterday (March 15) in waters south of Dondra. During the raid, naval personnel recovered six bags of narcotics from the boat.

Five suspects who were aboard the vessel were initially detained by the Navy and later formally arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau after the vessel arrived at Dikovita Harbour.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara also revealed that the Navy has intercepted another multi-day fishing vessel suspected of transporting drugs in waters off Beruwala. The vessel is currently being escorted to shore, and authorities are yet to confirm the quantity of drugs on board.

He said that further details will be released after inspections are completed.