COLOMBO (New 1st); The Sri Lankan Navy has said the gross market value of heroin seized in major drug seizures by the Navy from August 30, 2021 to date will be over Rs. 07 billion.

In another successful operation, the Sri Lankan Navy intercepted a foreign fishing vessel carrying more than 170 kg and 866 g (including packages) of heroin in international waters south of Sri Lanka on September 10, 2021.

Meanwhile, the smuggling ship laden with narcotics worth over Rs. 1,575 million in market value was brought to Colombo port this morning (September 18, 2021), with 09 foreign nationals on board.

In previous intelligence operations conducted by Navy Intelligence in conjunction with the State Intelligence Service, the Navy seized a local multi-day fishing trawler smuggling approximately 290 kg and 200 g of heroin and detained 05 local suspects on the high seas.

Likewise, the Navy intercepted a foreign fishing vessel carrying another stock of 336 kg and 300 g of heroin in international waters off the south coast and apprehended 07 foreign suspects on board.

After disembarking these ships and their suspects on August 31 and September 4, 2021, respectively, further investigations into the above incidents quickly began.

Based on information disclosed in the previous two investigations and taking into account intelligence provided by Sri Lankan police, the offshore patrol vessel SLNS Sindurala organized the recent operation in international waters.

After spotting a suspicious foreign fishing vessel approximately 850 nautical miles (approximately 1,574 km), SLNS Sindurala intercepted the fishing vessel and searched it on suspicion.

The search recovered approximately 170 kg and 866 g (including packaging) of heroin in 150 packaging and 306 g of a drug known as opium concealed in the vessel.

In addition to the transport of narcotics, the Navy caught 09 foreign suspects who were on board the fishing vessel.

The seized foreign fishing vessel along with the consignment of drugs and suspects were brought to Colombo port under the escort of SLNS Sindurala this morning (September 18)

It is suspected that this foreign fishing vessel carrying the narcotics was supposed to be stationed by smugglers in international waters to have narcotics transferred and brought back to the country, under cover of a vessel engaged in multi-fishing activities. days.

The gross market value of heroin seized in major drug seizures by the Navy from August 30, 2021 to date is estimated at over Rs. 07 billion.

The operation was carried out in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols in force to prevent the transmission of the pandemic and the identity of the apprehended foreign suspects has not yet been confirmed.

Investigation and prosecution of the incident will be conducted by the Navy and Police Bureau of Narcotics.

Regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lankan Navy, the country’s first line of defense, has pledged to coordinate with law enforcement authorities to conduct similar operations to eradicate the drug threat from society.