Police say the owner of a multi-day fishing vessel, arrested on allegations of drug trafficking, has been remanded for seven days for further questioning.
The Sri Lanka Navy seized the vessel during a special operation conducted yesterday (Nov. 1) in the deep sea, west of the island, discovering a large stock of narcotics onboard.
Following investigations, the owner of the vessel was arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) yesterday evening in Galle. The vessel was brought to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour this morning (Nov. 2) by the Navy.
During the inspection, the Navy found 16 packages containing approximately 350 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and heroin. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is around Rs. 5 billion.
Meanwhile, six suspects who were onboard the fishing vessel at the time of the seizure have also been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further legal and investigative proceedings.
