Navy finds another consignment of Kerala cannabis

Navy personnel move a stock of Kerala cannabis from SLN vessel (pic courtesy Navy media)

The Navy has found about 239 kilos of Kerala cannabis, during a special operation conducted in northern waters off Thondamanaru, Jaffna, on Monday (19). The consignment was found abandoned at sea by the smugglers without being able to bring them ashore due to naval operations in the area. 

 The Navy conducts regular operations in the country’s waters to thwart illegal activities, including the smuggling of drugs by sea. In an operation the Fast Attack Craft P 401 of the 04th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla (4 FAF) attached to the Northern Naval Command with the Inshore Patrol Craft P 177, P 178, Z 183, Z 215 and Sri Lanka Coast Guard CG 410 searched a number of dinghies in the Thondamanaru sea area. During this operation, the CG 410 was able to recover four polythene sacks with about 139 kg and 100g of Kerala cannabis dumped at sea by the smugglers who were unable to bring in the consignment due to naval patrols.

 The street value of the stock of Kerala cannabis is believed to be over Rs. 41 million. The Navy believes that the smugglers might have received the contraband at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and cast it away hoping to pick it up later.

The stock of Kerala cannabis was burnt.