Six Indians arrested with 2379 kgs of beedi leaves in SL waters

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Six Indians on a dhow were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy with 2,379kg of beedi leaves, in the north-western seas of Sri Lanka on Monday (29), the Navy said yesterday.   
The Navy Ship ‘Sagara’ had spotted the suspicious looking vessel entering Sri Lankan territorial waters across the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) from Indian waters. Accordingly, SLNS ‘Sagara’ with the assistance of SLNS ‘Suranimala’ on patrol had intercepted the dhow in the seas off the St. Anne’s Church, Thalavila. A search of the vessel had turned up 74 packages containing beedi leaves.   

Subsequently, the dhow and the suspects on board were taken into naval custody.   

“Upon them being escorted to the naval base, SLNS ‘Vijaya’ in Kalpitiya, the seized beedi leaves were handed over to the Colombo Customs and the fishing dhow and the apprehended Indian nationals were handed over to the Police for onward legal action,” the navy said.   

The Navy said that on the advice of Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva they had introduced strong measures to prevent drug traffickers entering.  Sri Lankan waters in the guise of fishermen.    As such the Navy has seized over 27,000 kilogrammes of beedi leaves this year alone.   

Further, the Navy said it would continue to conduct regular operations to curb these illegal activities taking place in Sri Lankan waters.   

Upon them being escorted to the naval base, SLNS ‘Vijaya’ in Kalpitiya, the seized beedi leaves were handed over to the Colombo Customs