The Navy apprehended four suspects with a stock of smuggled Kendu leaves weighing about 551kg (wet weight) during a search operation conducted off the Mattathivu island in the Kalpitiya lagoon on Friday (11).
The operation also led to the seizure of two dinghies used to smuggle the contraband.
The Navy remains ever alert and conducts regular patrols and search operations in the coastal areas of the island to prevent a wide range of illegal activities taking place via sea routes.
As an extension of these efforts, a search operation was conducted by SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command off the Mattathivu island on Friday. In this operation, naval personnel searched two dinghies on suspicion and recovered the contraband. The dinghies had been loaded with 21 sacks, stuffed with approximately 551kg (wet weight) of Kendu leaves. Accordingly, the contraband, two dinghies and four suspects aboard were taken into naval custody.
The suspects held in this search operation were identified as residents of Kalpitiya, aged between 17 and 27. The four suspects together with the stock of Kendu leaves and two dinghies were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for onward legal proceedings.
