Drug Bust News

Navy seizes local fishing trawler carrying about 131kg of heroin, valued over Rs. 3250 million, concealed in secret chambers of its hull

Based on intelligence information received from the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, the Sri Lanka Navy seized a local multi-day fishing trawler, on suspicion of smuggling drugs, during a special operation carried out about 356 nautical miles (700km) off the Dondra Head, in southern waters. The Navy deployed SLNS Parakramabahu for this special operation in which 06 suspects in connection to the illegal act were also held. The fishing trawler was escorted to Galle harbour, where a thorough inspection led to the discovery of 131 kg 754 g of heroin concealed in secret chambers of its hull. The seized narcotics have an estimated street value exceeding Rs 3250 million. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera inspected the haul of narcotics at the Galle harbour on 15th June 2024.

16 Jun 2024

Navy seizes stock of Kerala cannabis valued over Rs.109 million

Separate search operations conducted by the Navy on 13th June 2024 in the Kankesanthurai sea area and in the Thalayadi beach area of Jaffna with the Police Special Task Force (STF), led to the seizure of Kerala cannabis, weighing over 273kg.

13 Jun 2024

A suspect with 4600 foreign cigarettes held in Ragama

A combined search operation conducted by the Navy and Police STF in the Podiweekumbura area of Ragama on 11th June 2024 led to the arrest of a suspect with about 4600 foreign cigarettes.

12 Jun 2024

A suspect with prescription drugs held in Anuradhapura

A coordinated operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and Food and Drugs Inspector unit- Anuradhapura led to the apprehension of a suspect and seizure of 918 prescription drugs, made ready for sale, in Anuradhapura on 11th June 2024.

12 Jun 2024

Two (02) suspects with Kerala cannabis valued over Rs. 28 million held in northern waters

A search operation conducted by the Navy in the Ampan sea area of Nagar Kovil, Jaffna on 05th June 2024, led to the apprehension of 02 suspects and a dinghy loaded with over 70kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis.

05 Jun 2024

A suspects held with 1440 Pregabalin capsules in Batticaloa

A coordinated operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police Special Task Force (STF) - Kalladi led to the arrest of a suspect and seizure of 1440 Pregabalin capsules and a car in Batticaloa on 11th May 2024.

12 May 2024

Approx. 120kg of smuggled Tendu leaves seized in Kalpitiya

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the beach vicinity of Uchchamunai, Kalpitiya on the evening of 04th May 2024 led to the recovery of approx. 120kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves. It is suspected that the stock of Tendu leaves has been smuggled via sea routes.

05 May 2024

Approx. 1229kg of smuggled Tendu leaves held in Kalpitiya

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy with the Army and Police Narcotic Bureau, led to the recovery of approx. 1229kg of Tendu leaves in Mohoththuwaram in Kalpitiya on 30th April 2024. It is suspected that the stock of Tendu leaves has been smuggled into the country via sea.

01 May 2024

Navy takes hold of Kerala cannabis valued over Rs. 4 million in Mannar

The Navy took hold of over 10kg of Kerala cannabis, during a search operation conducted with the Division Crime Investigation Bureau Mannar in the Vankalai area, Mannar on 21st April 2024. The operation also led to the apprehension of 4 suspects and 1 van in connection to this incident.

23 Apr 2024

Local multi-day fishing trawler with crystal methamphetamine and heroin worth more than Rs. 3798 Mn gross street value seized by Navy off south coast

In another successful intelligence operation of the Sri Lanka Navy, a local multi-day fishing trawler (01) carrying a large haul of narcotics, with 06 suspects aboard, were intercepted about 133 nautical miles (about 246 km) off Dondra, south of Sri Lanka. The operation also resulted in the seizure of another local one-day fishing trawler (01) with 04 suspects, believed to have been there to fetch the consignment of narcotics mid-sea. The operation was mounted by deploying Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship (SLCG) Samudraraksha which made the apprehension on 12th April 2024. The haul of narcotics included about 179kg and 906g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and about 83kg and 582g of heroin (with their packages). The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera arrived at the Galle Harbour on 13th April to inspect the consignment of narcotics held in this operation.

14 Apr 2024