Navy thwarts smuggling attempt: Over 547kg of Kendu leaves seized in Negombo

In an anti-smuggling operation, the Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a dinghy with a consignment of Kendu leaves in the Negombo Lagoon area on 17 Jun 26.

The search operation was conducted by personnel from SLNS Kelani, under the Western Naval Command. While patrolling the lagoon waters, naval personnel spotted and searched the suspicious dinghy, leading to the discovery of over 547kg of Kendu leaves stuffed in 16 sacks.

It is suspected that smugglers, attempting to sneak the consignment into the country, abandoned the dinghy due to heightened surveillance of the Navy in the area.

Meanwhile, the seized dinghy and the entire stock of Kendu leaves were handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for onward legal proceedings.