The Sri Lanka Navy during a special operation mounted in seas off Allappiddi of the Kayts Island, Jaffna yesterday seized 1,828 kg of dried turmeric, 137 kg of cardamom and 134 bottles of herbicide which was to be smuggled into the island.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with this smuggling attempt. Sri Lanka Navy remains constantly vigilant to ward-off wide-ranging illegal activities taking place via sea routes. In a similar operation, SLNS Kanchadewa in the Northern Naval Command apprehended a dinghy in seas off Allappiddi yesterday morning. When the suspicious dinghy was brought ashore at Allappiddy and examined, 1,828 kg of smuggled dried turmeric concealed in 36 sacks, 137 kg of cardamom in 1kg packs and 134 bottles containing 500 ml and 250 ml of herbicide were detected.
Meanwhile, the Navy also nabbed a suspect and seized the dinghy used for the same purpose. The suspect held in this operation is a 20-year-old resident of Venpuravinagar on Kayts Island. The accused with the contraband items was handed over to the Jaffna Customs officials.