Leading News from Sri Lanka::

* Sri Lanka Navy seizes 485kg of Kerala cannabis attempted to be smuggled by sea

Sun, Mar 15, 2020, 12:11 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 14, Colombo: During two search operations carried out in northern seas Saturday, Sri Lanka Navy has been able to seize 485kg of Kerala cannabis.

Naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command, during a search operation in the sea area of Manalkadu today (14) have intercepted a suspicious dinghy and apprehended two suspects along with a stock of Kerala cannabis.

In a separate operation, Sri Lanka Coast Guard and officers of Sankanei Excise Station have also seized several parcels of Kerala cannabis adrift in the sea area of Maradankeni. They also found a suspicious dinghy left behind at the beach.

During the two operations, the Navy seized a total of about 485kg of Kerala cannabis along with two dinghies and arrested two suspects.

The suspects have been identified as residents of Pesalai, Mannar aged 30 and 34.

The Jaffna Police Narcotic Bureau and Kankasanthurai police are conducting further investigation into the incidents.

Incidentally, Sri Lanka Navy managed to seize approximately two tons of Kerala cannabis by naval operations conducted at sea and on land during the past 75 days of this year.

The Navy has been able to bring a number of drug smugglers to justice, during successful anti-drug operations conducted in a bid to keep a tight rein on smuggling of drugs.

Over the past 75 days Northern Naval Command has seized 1682kg of Kerala cannabis, while 181kg from the Northwestern Naval Command, 19kg from the Southern Naval Command, 21kg from the North Central Naval Command and 10kg of Kerala cannabis from rest of the Naval Commands have been seized, taking the total to a staggering amount of 1913kg.

Accordingly, 69 suspects in connection to these illegal acts have been taken into custody, this year alone.