Southern Drug Lord Linked to Record Tangalle Narcotics Bust

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities have revealed that the record-breaking narcotics cache discovered floating off the Tangalle coast is linked to a leading drug trafficker operating in the Southern Province. 

Senior police officials confirmed that the consignment—comprising 856 kilograms of illicit drugs—was transported by four boats to Sri Lankan waters before being abandoned at sea.

Investigations indicate that the traffickers disabled communication systems on the vessels before approaching the shoreline, a tactic aimed at evading detection. 

However, fearing intensified security operations, the smugglers allegedly dumped the narcotics into the ocean and fled.

The Sri Lanka Navy recovered 51 floating parcels yesterday and brought them to the Tangalle fisheries harbor. Subsequent inspections revealed a staggering breakdown:

Crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’): 670 kg
Heroin: 156 kg
Hashish: over 12 kg

The joint operation was conducted by the Navy and Police, with the seized drugs handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation. 

Authorities are now pursuing every individual linked to the smuggling ring.

Visiting the site last night, Navy Commander inspected the haul, while State Minister of Defense Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekara vowed decisive action.

“Every person behind this trafficking network will be brought to justice,” he declared.