Navy nabs suspect with contraband kendu leaves

The Navy apprehended a suspect with 1947 kilos of smuggled kendu leaves in Puttalam, on Sunday morning.  The crew manning the Navy vessel, SLNS Vijaya, made this arrest, during a special operation conducted in the Karative beach.

 The suspect had smuggled the kendu leaves in 65 packages.The suspect, aged 50, along with the kendu leaves, was handed over to the Kalpitiya Police for onward legal action.

Kendu leaves are used to manufacture beedi, and can only be imported after obtaining a license.The Sri Lankan Navy conducts patrols and search operations in coastal and sea areas surrounding the island to ward off the influx of contraband, through sea routes.