Navy takes hold of about 1780kg of smuggled Tendu leaves in Negombo

Colombo (News 1st): A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the Dadugama lagoon area of Negombo yesterday evening, resulted in the seizure of about 1780kg of smuggled Tendu leaves and the apprehension of 02 suspects. Additionally, the Navy also confiscated 06 dinghies used for the racket.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, SLNS Kelani in the Western Naval Command carried out this operation in the Dadugama lagoon area where 06 suspicious dinghies were intercepted. 

The subsequent search of the dinghies led to the recovery of 76 sacks of Tendu leaves loaded on those dinghies. Accordingly, the sacks of Tendu leaves, weighing about 1780kg, along with the 06 dinghies and 02 suspects in connection to the incident were taken into naval custody.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Aluthkuruwa and Vennappuwa, aged 25 and 41. The accused along with the stock of Tendu leaves and the dinghies were handed over to the Excise Special Unit - Negombo for onward legal action.