Two trawlers seized with 600kg of narcotics off Southern Coast

The confiscated narcotics, the suspects, and the multi-day fishing trawlers involved were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further legal action

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Two multi-day fishing boats intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy off the southern coast were found carrying more than 600 kilos of heroin and Crystal methamphetamine (ICE).   

The Navy said acting on credible information, the Sri Lanka Navy launched a special operation on the high seas, arresting 11 suspects along with 02 local multi-day fishing trawlers, involved in smuggling of narcotics. The operation was mounted in collaboration with the State Intelligence Service, the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and the Regional Coordination Operation Centres.   

The arrested individuals are reportedly residents of Devinuwara.   

The drug-laden trawlers were escorted yesterday to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour where further inspection with the assistance of experts from the PNB was carried out.   

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), along with the Commander of the Navy and the Acting Inspector General of Police, were present to inspect the seized narcotics.   

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Minister of Defence Jayasekara said that security forces, in collaboration with local and foreign intelligence agencies and law enforcement authorities, have carried out coordinated drug raids across the island.   

The confiscated narcotics, the suspects, and the multi-day fishing trawlers involved were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further legal action.