Navy Drug Bust Suspects To Face Court

COLOMBO(News 1st); The fishermen, drugs, and weapons found on board the multi-day fishing vessel seized by the Navy in the southern seas have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau.

Police said the suspects will be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today.

The multi-day fishing vessel was seized by the Sri Lanka Navy in the deep sea off the southern coast of the country on the 11th.

The Navy said a stock of 654 kilograms of drugs was found on board.

According to the Navy, the drugs included 176 kilograms of heroin and 478 kilograms of ice.

The vessel transporting the drugs and weapons was brought to Dikkowita Harbour yesterday morning.

Navy Spokesperson Buddhika Sampath stated that another vessel believed to have assisted the main vessel was also brought ashore.

Two T-56 firearms, a modified M-16 firearm, and eight pistols were found on the first vessel.

The Navy Spokesperson said several magazines were also recovered from the vessel.

The Navy arrested 10 suspects who were on board the two vessels.