Sri Lanka Navy took hold of over 1,447 Kg of smuggled Kendu leaves, during a special operation carried out in the lagoon and sea area of Negombo on Thursday.
The Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols to prevent the influx of contraband into the country via sea routes.
In a similar effort, two Fast Attack Craft of the Fourth Fast Attack Flotilla in the Western Naval Command retrieved 21 suspicious sacks adrift in waters, whilst patrolling off Negombo on January 26. The sacks were stuffed with Kendu leaves which weighed around 1,026 kg and 770g (wet weight). It is suspected that the smugglers might have abandoned the stock of contraband due to constant naval operations in the area.
Meanwhile, SLNS Kelani in the Western Naval Command mounted another search operation in the lagoon area of Pitipana in Negombo on January 26, upon receipt of information to the Navy. The search operation led to the recovery of about 420kg and 900g (wet weight) of Kendu leaves in 13 sacks which had been concealed in a dinghy at the lagoon.
The consignment of Kendu leaves (1,447kg and 670g) and the dinghy seized by the Navy were subsequently handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for legal action.
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