SLN foils 6,381 kilos of turmeric smuggling racket via sea
August 12, 2020Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) nabbed 13 suspects with 6,381 kilos of turmeric, during an attempt to smuggle into the island via western seas, yesterday (11).
Initially SLN nabbed four suspects with the haul of turmeric, 10 nautical miles off Chilaw seas, and arrested another nine persons involved in the racket along with a minivan and Rs 2.2 million at the Chilaw town, in a joint operation conducted with Police and regional coastguard personnel.
Smugglers are residents of Wattala, Katugastota, Kandy, Beruwala and Thoduwawa areas, age between 27 to 66, were handed over to the Chilaw Police for onward actions.
The haul of turmeric packed in gunny sacks were handed over to the Sri Lanka Customs for investigations.
Four suspects initially taken into custody at sea were directed for 14-day quarantine process along with their families, suspecting their associations with smugglers operating overseas.
This incident was reported following 1,000 kilos of turmeric seizure at the Mannar beach on July 28.
