The SL Navy assists the Maldivian Coast Guard in seizing an SL fishing trawler carrying crystal methamphetamine and cocaine
November 25, 2024A joint intelligence-sharing operation between the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and the Maldivian Coast Guard led to the interception of a Sri Lankan fishing trawler carrying 344 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 124 kg of cocaine in the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on November 23, SLN media says.
The incident began when the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), operating in the Navy Headquarters, Colombo, was alerted by its Maldivian counterpart regarding the trawler’s presence in the Maldivian EEZ. While verifying records and analyzing intelligence, the SLN uncovered the vessel's link to drug trafficking. Acting on this information, the Maldivian Coast Guard conducted a search operation, uncovering the narcotics and seizing the trawler, it says.
Joint investigations by the SLN and Maldivian Intelligence are on-going to determine the intended destination of the drugs. This operation highlights the Navy’s proactive collaboration with regional partners to combat drug trafficking disguised as fishing activities, it further says.
