A fishing trawler carrying over 179 kg of heroin was intercepted by the Navy in the Southern seas and the six suspects were brought to the Galle Harbour yesterday.
The Navy said the seized stock of heroin had a street value of over Rs.3,593 million.In a coordinated operation conducted out by the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard, based on information of the State Intelligence Service, a local multi-day fishing trawler carrying about 179 kg and 654g (including packages) of heroin was intercepted about 132 nautical miles (about 244km) off the Little Basses, Hambantota on April 15.
The operation carried out by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudraraksha’ resulted in the apprehension of six suspects.Based on information received from a combined intelligence operation led by the Naval Intelligence, the State Intelligence Service and the Police Narcotic Bureau, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudraraksha’ was deployed for the special operation off the Little Basses, south of Sri Lanka.
The 179kgs and 654g of heroin found in 160 packs were in 8 sacks. The suspects held in the operation, aged between 25 and 32 have been identified as residents of Nakulugamuwa, Kudawella, Netolpitiya and Trincomalee.
They will be handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for further legal action.Including the latest seizure, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized drugs with a gross street value of over Rs.4,908 million during operations mounted in 2023. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was present to inspect the detection.