Navy seizes largest ever drug haul worth over Rs. 12,500 million
March 31, 2020Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN) Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS ‘Sayura’ has seized a vessel carrying a large consignment of narcotics in seas about 463 nautical miles (835km) off the country's Southern coast.
The suspected vessel was detected in the morning hours on 28th March, which had failed to register under a Flag State. The Navy patrol vessel on intercepting the suspected vessel had found over 500 kilos of drugs believed to be crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and around 500 kilos of substance believed to be cocaine in the vessel.
It was also reported that 200 packets of babul drug and another 100g of unidentified pills had been found aboard. The street value of the haul of drugs has not yet been exactly estimated. However, it is believed that the total drug consignment will be valued at more than Rs. 12,500 million.
This foreign vessel is scheduled to be escorted to the Dikowita harbour by the Navy to conduct further investigation, tomorrow, (April 1).
This is the third foreign vessel to be detained while transporting narcotics to Sri Lanka, during the last two months. Prior to this detection, the Navy on February 22 and 25 had also intercepted two foreign vessels carrying narcotics to Sri Lanka and seized a Sri Lankan fishing vessel transferring narcotics from those foreign vessels. Apart from 16 foreigners and five locals, another six locals involved in transferring narcotics at sea were held in Southern Sri Lanka.
SLN, which continues to strengthen regular search operations and seizing vessels carrying narcotics in international waters, have used satellite technology for surveillance. SLN is having a close coordination with the Police Narcotics Bureau, has taken tough measures to nab local and foreign drug smugglers in the international narcotics supply chain.