An operation conducted by the Navy off the Kudiramalei Point of Northwestern seas, South of Mannar on Monday (12), led to the interception of an Indian trawler trespassing onto the Sri Lankan waters, with 2689kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves. The operation also resulted in the apprehension of three Indian nationals in connection to the incident.
The Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas, with a view to prevent the influx of a wide range of illegal items into the country.
The operation was mounted off the Kudiramalei Point of Northwestern seas by deploying a Fast Attack Craft of the Western Naval Command on Monday evening (12). Upon interception of the suspected Indian trawler in Sri Lankan waters, Naval personnel recovered about 2689kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves in 80 packages. Accordingly, the consignment of Tendu leaves, the trawler and three Indian nationals aboard were taken into the Naval custody.
The suspects held in this operation, along with the stock of Tendu leaves and the trawler will be handed over to authorities for onward legal action.
Including the recent apprehension, the Navy and Coast Guard have seized 37,619kg of smuggled Tendu leaves and held 32 suspects during operations conducted this far in 2024 and handed them over to law enforcement authorities for legal action.
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