Eight foreigners in trawler with heroin arrested off Dondra

A special operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy about 573 nautical miles (about 1,061 km) off Dondra, South of Sri Lanka has led to the interception of a foreign trawler with over 900g of heroin with a street value around Rs.18.5 million.

During the operation, carried by officers of the SLNS Sayura, eight foreign nationals who were aboard the drug-carrying trawler were also apprehended. During the investigation, it has been revealed that a large quantity of heroin, was in the vessel which was being brought to this country from Pakistan and that when the Navy vessels approached the heroin had been thrown into the sea.

The trawler and suspects were brought to the port of Colombo June 28 for further legal proceedings.Based on information derived from a coordinated intelligence operation conducted by the Naval Intelligence, State Intelligence Service and Police Narcotics Bureau, the operation was mounted by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Accordingly, SLNS Sayura made this apprehension about 573 nautical miles (about 1061 km) off Dondra, after detecting a suspicious foreign trawler on June 21.

During further search, the Navy recovered about 926g of heroin concealed in the trawler. Accordingly, the drug-carrying trawler and eight foreign nationals were taken into naval custody.

Meanwhile, the gross street value of seized drugs is believed to be around Rs 18.5 million.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as Iranian and Pakistani nationals who are from 17 to 42 years.

The suspects along with the trawler and about 926g of heroin were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further legal action.