Navy foils smuggling attempt in Puttalam: large stash of pharmaceuticals and Kendu leaves seized

In a coastal security operation, the Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a dinghy loaded with an illegal consignment of Kendu leaves and a massive haul of pharmaceutical products off the Alankuda beach area in Puttalam on 11 Jun 26.

The search operation was executed by personnel from SLNS Vijaya, operating under the Northwestern Naval Command. Upon spotting a suspicious dinghy drifting near the Alankuda coast, naval personnel moved in to inspect the boat. The search led to the recovery of over 177 kg of smuggled Kendu leaves, alongside a massive stock of unauthorized medicinal items. The pharmaceutical haul comprised approximately 354,000 medicinal tablets, 7,673 packs of medicinal ointments and 118 bottles of liquid medicine.

It is believed that smugglers might have abandoned the dinghy and its cargo, unable to bring the contraband ashore, due to heightened naval vigilance and continuous in the area,

The seized Kendu leaves, pharmaceutical products, and the boat were handed over to the Kalpitiya Police for further investigation and onward legal action.