Rs 130 mn worth of Kerala ganja seized; 10 Indian and Lankan suspects arrested

A special joint operation launched by the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard led to the interception of an Indian boat carrying about 434 kilos (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis. Five Indian suspects were also arrested with the contraband.The fishermen detained with 130 million rupee worth of ganja were T. Rikshan of Soosayapparpattinam, J. Christy Raj of Soosayapparpattinam, S. Anthony Adimai of Victoria Nagar in Thangachimadam, S. Imran Khan of Keezhakkarai and Udhayakumar of Tiruppullani, all in Ramanathapuram district in South India.

The detained fishermen were reported to have started from Keezhavaipparu in Thoothukudi district in the unnumbered country boat ‘Paraloha Matha’.

The Navy also arrested a Sri Lankan fishing trawler and five Sri Lankan nationals, suspected to be connected to the incident. The intercepted Indian dhow, the stock of Kerala cannabis as well as Indian and local suspects were brought ashore to be handed over to Kalpitiya Police for legal action following preliminary investigation, an official statement said.