The Navy apprehended 04 suspects with a stock of smuggled Kendu leaves weighing about 551kg (moist weight) all through a search operation carried out off the Mattathivu island in Kalpitiya lagoon on eleventh August 2023. The operation moreover led to the seizure of 02 dinghies used to smuggle the contraband devices.
The Navy stays ever alert and conducts widespread patrols and search operations throughout the coastal areas of the island to cease a wide range of illegal actions taking place by means of sea routes.
As an extension of these efforts, the search operation was carried out by SLNS Vijaya throughout the Northwestern Naval Command off the Mattathivu island on eleventh August. On this operation, naval personnel searched 02 dinghies on suspicion and recovered the contraband devices from them. The dinghies had been loaded with 21 sacks, stuffed with approx. 551kg (moist weight) of Kendu leaves. Accordingly, the contraband devices, 02 dinghies and 04 suspects aboard had been taken into the naval custody.
The suspects held on this search operation had been acknowledged as residents of Kalpitiya, from 17 to 27 years of age. The 04 suspects together with the stock of Kendu leaves and 02 dinghies had been handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for onward approved proceedings.
SL Navy
