Smuggling racket busted, five with gold held in Mannar

The dinghy used in the illegal operation.

Navy dismantled a smuggling racket in the evening of Friday (3), seizing about two kgs and 150 g of gold, attempted to be smuggled from the country via sea, during an operation mounted off Oluthuduwai, Mannar. The operation also led to the arrest of five suspects, a dinghy, a motorcycle and a three-wheeler used for this illegal act.

SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Command conducted this operation off Oluthuduwai on Friday evening and intercepted a suspicious dinghy in the sea area. During further search, about two kgs and 150 g of gold concealed in the dinghy, suspected to be smuggled from the county, were held with five suspects aboard.

After conducting a further search in the beach vicinity, the Navy also seized a three-wheeler and a motorcycle believed to have been utilized in this illicit activity.

The suspects held in this operation were residents of Vankalei and Mannar, from 28 to 56 years of age. The accused along with gold and other vehicles handed over to Customs Preventive Office, Kankesanthurai for onward legal proceedings.

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