Navy seizes another stock of Kerala cannabis weighing 100 kilos

The suspects and the stock of cannabis taken into custody

The Navy seized about 104 kilos of Kerala cannabis, during an operation conducted in the seas off Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, on Thursday night. The operation also led to the arrest of three suspects. A dinghy used to transport the drugs was also taken into naval custody.

Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular operations to curb illegal activities, including the smuggling of drugs, taking place via sea routes. Consequently, the Fast Attack Craft P 415 of 04th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla (4 FAF) attached to the Northern Naval Command with the Inshore Patrol Craft P 166 and P 015 conducted a special operation off Kankesanthurai. They spotted several parcels being thrown overboard from a dinghy heading landward moments before it was searched. The P 015 intercepted the suspicious dinghy. In the meantime, P 166 and P 415 carried out further search in the sea area and retrieved the three parcels containing the Kerala cannabis.

It is suspected that the smugglers received the stock of Kerala cannabis at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) to smuggle it into the country.

The street value of the seized stock of Kerala cannabis is believed to be over Rs. 31 million.

The operation was carried out in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

The suspects were identified as residents of Point Pedro and Kilinochchi. They are aged between 20 and 40 years of age.

The suspects together with the stock of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy would be handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for onward legal action, the Navy said.