A special operation conducted by the Navy in the high seas in theafternoon of 30th August 2021, led to the seizure of a multi-dayfishing vessel carrying about 290kg and 200g stock of heroin,attempted to be smuggled into the island by sea. The operation alsomade way to the apprehension of 05 suspects in connection to thissmuggling attempt.
Meanwhile, the fishing vessel with heroin and thesuspects were brought ashore Friday morning (31st August).Based on information received from a coordinated intelligenceoperation led by Sri Lanka Navy Intelligence and State IntelligenceService, the Navy detected and searched a suspicious multi-day fishingtrawler heading landward, during this special anti-drug operationcarried out in the high seas in the afternoon of 30th August.
Theinterception made way to the recovery of about 290kg and 200g ofheroin in 259 packages stuffed in 10 sacks which were concealed in thevessel. Apart from the haul of drugs and the multi-day fishingtrawler, the Navy also nabbed 05 suspects onboard the fishing vessel.
The multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Navy on suspicion ofsmuggling heroin, had ventured out to sea on 30th July 2021 and it issuspected that the consignment of narcotics was fetched to the trawlerfrom foreign smugglers in international waters. Meanwhile, the streetvalue of the seized consignment of heroin is believed to be overRs.
2321 million.The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols in force toprevent the spread of the pandemic. The suspects held during thisoperation were identified as residents of Ahungalla, Balapitiya andHabaraduwa, from 31 to 37 years of age. Meanwhile, the Navy and PoliceNarcotic Bureau are conducting further investigation into the incidentas of now.