Sri Lanka Navy Cracks Down on Illicit Activities in 2023, Netting 343 Suspects and Major Contraband Seizures

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) delivered a decisive blow to organized crime in 2023, apprehending 343 individuals involved in a diverse range of illegal activities and seizing substantial quantities of narcotics, contraband, and smuggled goods.

Throughout the year, the SLN consistently conducted successful operations to combat criminal activity within the maritime domain, collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies like the Police Narcotic Bureau and State Intelligence Service. These coordinated efforts yielded impressive results:

Drug Trafficking: Over 715kg of heroin, 3711kg of Kerala cannabis, 50kg of local cannabis, 140kg of hashish, and 11kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) were seized. Additionally, 92572 local cannabis plants were destroyed, and 187 individuals, including 18 local suspects with fishing trawlers, 5 Iranian suspects with a dhow, and 3 Pakistani and 6 Indian suspects on fishing trawlers, were apprehended for drug trafficking-related offences.

The SLN intercepted attempts to smuggle 191 bottles of foreign liquor, 41380 illegal cigarettes, 1016755 prescription drugs, 2642 ‘Madana Modaka’ drug pills, 11 elephant pearls, 14kg of gold, and various quantities of smuggled goods like Tendu leaves, tobacco powder, turmeric, cardamom, agrochemicals, and cosmetics. 60 suspects involved in such smuggling activities were apprehended.

The SLN thwarted five human smuggling attempts, apprehending one boat and five individuals involved in facilitating illegal migration to India and two boats and seven individuals attempting to migrate illegally from India to Sri Lanka. All detained individuals were handed over to relevant authorities for further legal proceedings.