Foreign vessel carrying large volume of drugs intercepted in southern seas

A special operation mounted by Sri Lanka Navy in international waters has led to the interception of a foreign fishing vessel carrying a large consignment of narcotics.

Following several days of continuous surveillance in the international waters about 900 nautical miles (nearly 1665km) south of Sri Lanka, this operation was carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy with the assistance of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB), based on intelligence information.

Six Iranian nationals who were aboard the vessel were also taken into custody by the investigating officers.

The vessel, suspects and the seized drugs are now being escorted ashore by a Sri Lanka Navy ship.

It is believed that the 225 packets of narcotics, contained in 09 sacks, weigh over 250kg.

According to reports, this stock of heroin had been dispatched from Dubai to two local drug dealers.

The vessel, along with the apprehended foreign nationals will be handed over to the PNB for investigations and onward legal action, the Navy said.

Meanwhile, in recent anti-drug operations conducted by the Navy on high seas, a local multiday fishing vessel with 290kg of heroin was seized on August 30. Similarly, the Navy intercepted two more foreign fishing vessels carrying over 336kg and 170kg stocks of heroin in two separate operations on September 04 and 10, respectively.

In addition to the stock of drug substances seized during the recent operation, the Navy has been able to nab narcotics worth over Rs. 13.16 billion, this year alone.