A special operation carried out by the Navy in the Saukkadu sea area on May 3 led to the seizure of about 492kg of Kerala cannabis and arrest of a suspect with a dinghy.
The Navy has been conducting regular operations to prevent wide-ranging illegal activities including the smuggling of drugs via sea routes. Accordingly, the apprehension was made by an Inshore Patrol Craft attached to the Northern Naval Command, after detection of a suspicious dinghy in Saukkadu sea area on May 3.
The Navy managed to recover about 492kg of Kerala cannabis in 225 packages stuffed in 15 sacks, when the dinghy was searched.
The stock of Kerala cannabis together with the suspect and the dinghy were taken into Naval custody.
The gross street value of seized Kerala cannabis is believed to be over Rs. 123 million.
The suspect held during the operation is a 20-year-old resident of Jaffna.
The accused together with the stock of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy will be handed over to the VaddukoddaiPolice for onward investigation.