The Navy brought ashore the seized narcotics, including 179kg and 906g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 83kg and 582g of heroin, which were seized yesterday in the seas approximately 133 nautical miles (about 246 km) off Dondra, south of Sri Lanka.
This operation, conducted as part of an intelligence operation by the Sri Lanka Navy, resulted in the interception of a local multi-day fishing trawler carrying a large quantity of narcotics. Six suspects were apprehended aboard the trawler. Additionally, another local one-day fishing trawler with four suspects was seized, suspected to be involved in a mid-sea exchange of narcotics.
The operation was executed with the deployment of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship (SLCG) Samudraraksha, which made the apprehensions on 12th April 2024. Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander of the Navy, arrived at Galle Harbour to inspect the seized narcotics.
The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard maintain regular patrols and conduct search operations along the island's coast to combat illegal activities, particularly drug trafficking via sea routes.
During this operation, based on naval intelligence, a suspicious multi-day fishing trawler was intercepted and searched by SLCG Samudraraksha. The trawler, suspected of smuggling crystal methamphetamine and heroin in 17 sacks, was held on 12th April with six suspects aboard.
Subsequently, SLCG Samudraraksha inspected another local one-day fishing trawler, leading to the apprehension of four suspects and the trawler on suspicion of involvement in a drug exchange at sea.
A thorough search at Galle Harbour on 13th April recovered 17 sacks containing crystal methamphetamine and heroin. The consignment, along with the suspects and fishing trawlers, was handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) for legal action.
The individuals involved, ranging in age from 23 to 54 years old and residing in Weligama, Imaduwa, and Galle areas, face legal consequences. The gross street value of the drugs seized during this operation is estimated to be more than Rs. 3,798 million.
Including this recent confiscation, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized drugs valued at over Rs. 9,300 million during operations in 2024. The Navy remains committed to collaborating with law enforcement to counter drug smuggling disguised as fishing activities.
