Over 250kg of cocaine seized from fishing trawler intercepted off Beruwala
March 16, 2026 06:25 pm
The Sri Lanka Navy has revealed that the multi-day fishing trawler intercepted in the sea area off Beruwala and brought to the Dikkowita Harbour this evening (16) was discovered to be carrying over 250 kilograms of cocaine.
According to the Navy, the street value of the seized cocaine is estimated to be around Rs. 01 billion.
Six fishermen onboard the fishing trawler were also taken into custody during the operation, authorities said.
The SL Navy stated that the fishing trawler in question was brought to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour this evening (16).
Earlier this morning, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara stated that the Sri Lanka Navy had also seized another multi-day fishing trawler in the seas south of Dondra with approximately 133 kilograms of heroin on board.
The vessel was brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour today (16), where an official inspection was carried out. During the inspection, authorities discovered six sacks containing 123 packets of heroin with a total weight of 133 kilograms.
Accordingly, the Deputy Minister stated that the narcotics consignment consisted of heroin and that the estimated street value of the haul exceeds Rs. 3 billion.
The multi-day fishing trawler had been intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy yesterday (15) in the seas south of Dondra. Five suspects who were on board the vessel were also taken into custody by the Navy.
After the vessel was brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour, the suspects were arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).
