Three (03) suspects with Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 93 Mn. apprehended in northern waters

A special operation carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard in the sea area west of the Delft Island, Jaffna in the wee hours of 04th April 2023 led to the apprehension of 03 suspects and a dinghy loaded with over 283 kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis.

The Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard conducts regular patrols and search operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to prevent the influx of drugs into the country.

Accordingly, the Patrol Craft CG 402 of the Coast Guard, attached to the Northern Naval Command, had been deployed in this special operation carried out off the Delft Island on 04th April. As a result, a suspicious dinghy was intercepted in the sea area and 06 sacks of Kerala cannabis were found from the dinghy. The sacks contained 76 parcels of the narcotic substance weighing about 283kg and 700g (wet weight). Moreover, 03 suspects in connection to the incident and the dinghy used to smuggle Kerala cannabis were also taken into the custody.

The street value of Kerala cannabis held in this operation is believed to be over Rs. 93 million.

The suspects nabbed in the operation are residents of Pesalai in Mannar, who are between 19 and 51 years of age. The suspects along with the stock of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy were handed over to the Delft Police for onward legal action.