Over 150 kg of heroin worth Rs. 4 bln found on seized fishing trawler off Southern Seas

Over 150 kilograms of heroin, valued at around Rs. 4 billion, have been recovered from a fishing trawler seized by the Sri Lanka Navy and brought to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour this morning (17).

The narcotics were discovered packed in six bags aboard the vessel, according to Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekera.

Following an inspection conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), it was confirmed that the substances recovered from the vessel were heroin. 

Accordingly, more than 150 kilograms of the drug were taken into official custody.

Subsequently, the four suspects who were on board the multi-day fishing trawler were brought ashore and arrested by the PNB after completion of preliminary examinations.

Sri Lanka Navy had intercepted the vessel during a special deep-sea operation conducted south of Sri Lanka yesterday (16). Along with the suspects, officers also recovered six sacks containing narcotics from the vessel.

Commenting on the seizure, Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara stated that intelligence indicates the drugs were supplied by a foreign vessel. He further noted that authorities are pursuing international-level investigations in this regard. 

“Based on the quantity seized, the estimated street value exceeds Rs. 4 billion and could potentially be higher,” he added.