Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

SLN nabbed dried turmeric attempted to be smuggled by sea

November 29, 2020

The Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN) Northwestern Naval Command managed to capture over 1372 kilos and 300 grams of smuggled dried turmeric and collared 05 Indian nationals in the seas off the Kudiramalei Point, Puttalam on 28 Nov.  

Further, SLN managed to spot this suspicious Indian dhow in Sri Lankan waters close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off the Kudiramalei Point.

They had been stuffed in 39 sacks and loaded in the dhow, SLN said.

The entire operation was conducted as per health and safety regulations imposed by health authorities as COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, the seized consignment of turmeric is kept in the custody of SLN for onward investigation.  Due to prevailing COVID -19 concerns, the 05 Indian nationals along with their dhow were repatriated back to the Indian waters, SLN also said.