Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Tuesday, 7 January 2025 03:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has taken a large consignment of drugs and narcotics worth over Rs. 28.15 billion into custody, while apprehending 407 people, including foreign nationals, who were involved in illegal activities such as drug and narcotics trafficking, smuggling of contraband, and illegal immigration, in 2024.
The SLN said it engaged in special joint intelligence operations conducted together with other law enforcement agencies, including the Sri Lanka Police, Police Narcotics Bureau, Police Special Task Force, and Excise Department, and also received the assistance of the Indian Navy and the Maldives Coast Guard. During these joint operations, the SLN was able to seize consignments of over 622 kgs of heroin with a gross street value of over Rs. 15,554 million, stock of over 1,211 kgs of crystal methamphetamine (ice) with a gross street value of over Rs. 11,508 million, consignments of over 1,752 kgs of Kerala cannabis with a gross street value of over Rs. 700 million, and narcotics with a gross street value of over Rs. 373 million.
According to SLN sources, they have taken 230 suspects along with 21 local fishing vessels into custody in connection with drug trafficking in 2024.
The SLN, which conducts constant surveillance to curb illegal immigration and human trafficking, has apprehended a vessel carrying 20 illegal immigrants to Sri Lanka from India in 2024.
