Six fishermen arrested aboard a local multi-day fishing trawler, intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy off Galle seas, have been remanded until June 21.
The suspects were found with 131 kg of heroin, valued over Rs. 3,250 million, concealed within the vessel's structure. The interception, occurring on June 14, led to a detailed scan at Galle Port, revealing suspicious parcels integrated into the boat's fiber compartments.
The Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered the remand after the suspects were presented before court on Sunday (16).
Initial inspections by security forces on the vessel found nothing amiss, but further scrutiny identified areas suspiciously constructed with fiber. The navy's detailed scan later exposed a stock of suspicious parcels sealed within a fiber-sealed compartment in the boat's front section.
Investigations revealed that a fiber boat builder accompanying the suspects had concealed the parcels within the boat's structure. The suspects, hailing from Gandara and Devundara, disclosed that their journey began on May 15 from Devundara, orchestrated by a skipper known to them as "Aiya," who communicated via satellite phone. Initial payments between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 40,000 were reportedly received by the suspects for their involvement, as per police statements.
