Navy apprehends 7 Indians with Kerala Cannabis worth over Rs. 70 M

Sri Lanka Navy, during its patrols in the seas off Kudiramalei Point on Friday (May 07), has intercepted an Indian vessel attempting to smuggle in a large consignment of Kerala Cannabis.

Naval officers had spotted an Indian fishing vessel in Sri Lankan waters across the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

Further inspection of the vessel has led to the seizure of over 235kg of Kerala Cannabis packed in 06 sacks, the Navy stated in its statement.

The street value of the seized consignment of Kerala Cannabis is believed to be more than Rs. 70 million.

Seven Indian nationals who were on board the vessel at the time have also been taken into custody by the naval officers.

In a separate patrol in the seas off Negombo on the same day, the Navy has intercepted a suspicious dinghy approaching landward and took hold of about 522kg of onion seeds in 20 packages.

Meanwhile, two Sri Lankan suspects who attempted smuggle this consignment into the country were also held during this patrol, along with the dinghy.

The patrols were conducted adhering to COVID 19 protocols in force for the prevention of the spread of the pandemic, the Navy noted.

Due to the concerns of the transmission of COVID-19, the consignment of Kerala cannabis has been set on fire and the 07 Indian nationals were sent back to their home waters.

Meanwhile, the duo taken into custody along with the haul of onion seeds and the dinghy have been handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for onward legal action.

Navy says it is on a 24-hour patrol increasing the security in island waters, including the northern and northwestern seas which are the most likely areas for smuggling contraband and illegal immigration.