Over Rs. 15 Bn Worth Heroin, Meth Seized By Navy So Far In 2024

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy said that during anti-narcotic operations conducted so far in the year 2024, the Navy has been able to seize about 1000kg of heroin and crystal methamphetamine.

The street value of the seized narcotics is valued at over Rs. 15782, and the Sri Lanka Navy said that it handed over those substances to authorities for legal proceedings.

This comes after the Sri Lanka Navy, on receipt of information to Naval Intelligence, intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler (1) carrying a large haul of narcotics, with 06 suspects aboard, on the high seas about 222 km off Colombo on 24th June 2024.

The operation, carried out by deploying SLNS Nandimithra, resulted in the seizure of more than 191kg of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (ICE), including their packaging.

The subsequent search of the trawler resulted in the recovery of 08 sacks suspected to be heroin and crystal methamphetamine and apprehension of 06 suspects in connection to the smuggling racket on 24th June. As a result, the trawler carrying narcotics and its suspects were apprehended by the Navy and escorted to shore.

During a thorough search of the trawler at the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour this morning (26th June), authorities seized a consignment of heroin in 45 parcels weighing approximately 48kg and 880g (including packages) as well as crystal methamphetamine in 137 parcels weighing approximately 142kg and 184g (including packages).

Meanwhile, the gross street value of the narcotics seized in this operation is believed to exceed Rs. 2572 million.

The individuals held in the operation are known to reside in the Chilaw, Iranawila and Thoduwawa areas, ranging in age from 25 to 68 years old.

The consignment of narcotics along with the suspects and the trawler was handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.

More over, Sri Lankan authorities apprehended the owner of the fishing vessel.

The suspect, a 38-year-old businessman residing in the Palagathuraya area of Negombo, was attempting to flee to the Maldives when he was arrested at Katunayake Airport.

At 08:35 on Tuesday (25) night, as he stood at the final security checkpoint before boarding a plane, police took him into custody.

He has since been transported to the Colombo Police Narcotics Bureau headquarters.

Simultaneously, the multi-day fishing vessel involved in the drug trafficking operation has been brought to Galle port.