Navy seizes approx. 371kg of smuggled Tendu leaves and apprehends a suspect in Puttalam

A coordinated operation conducted by the Navy with the Police led to the interception of a van transporting approx. 371kg of smuggled Tendu leaves, at the roadblock of Karamba in Puttalam on 12th September 2024. The operation also resulted in the apprehension of a suspect in connection to the incident.

The operation was mounted by SLNS Thambapanni in the Northwestern Naval Command in coordination with the Norochcholai Police. After inspecting a suspicious van at the Karamba roadblock, the search team uncovered 11 sacks of smuggled Tendu leaves, weighing approximately 371 kg. The operation also resulted in the apprehension of a suspect in connection to the incident.

The suspect held in this operation was identified as a resident of Wattala, aged 27. The suspect along with the stock of Tendu leaves and the van was handed over to the Norochcholai Police for onward legal action.