Large consignment of smuggled Kendu leaves seized in Norochcholai

A search operation mounted by the Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Police, in the Paniadiya area at Norochcholai on 13 August 2026 led to the seizure of over 1464kg of smuggled Kendu leaves.

The search was conducted by naval personnel along with the Norochcholai Police, based on information received by SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command. During the search, they inspected a suspicious lorry loaded with 38 suspicious sacks, containing this consignment of Kendu leaves.

The stock of Kendu leaves and the lorry were handed over to the Norochcholai Police for onward legal proceedings.