Navy seizes 2,448 kg of Kendu leaves in Negombo

A special search operation carried out by the Navy in the Duwa area of Negombo on Tuesday (08) led to the seizure of 2448 kg of smuggled Kendu leaves used for producing beedi. Two suspects, two lorries and dinghy were taken into custody.

The Navy conducts regular patrols to prevent a wide range of illegal activities taking place in the coastal areas of the country. In one such effort, SLNS Parakrama from the Western Naval Command searched two lorries parked in the Duwa area during a special search operation.

The search yielded about 1580 kg and 940 g of Kendu leaves in 48 package.

A search carried out by the Navy in the lagoon area of Duwa also led to the detection of 26 packages containing about 867 kg and 200g of Kendu leaves in a dinghy.

The suspects were identified as residents of Negombo, aged 28 and 41.

The suspects along with the vehicles, dinghy and the Kendu leaves were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office – Katunayake for legal action.