Navy intercepts drug haul with an estimated value of Rs. 600 m

Narcotics estimated to have a street value of more than Rs. 600 million being brought ashore after being intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy yesterday  

By Asiri Fernando

Four suspects and an estimated Rs. 600 million worth of narcotics in the form of methamphetamines (also known as ICE) and hashish were intercepted by the Navy off Negombo in the early hours of yesterday, following an intelligence led operation with the support of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

According to the Navy, 100 kg of methamphetamine and 80 kg of hashish were found in nine packets, concealed in a locally registered multi-day fishing vessel off the coast of Negombo. The four suspects are residents of the Thoduwawa area in Chilaw, the Navy said. 

The narcotics, the first haul to be intercepted this year, has been handed over to the Police for further investigation and legal action. 

The intercept comes days after another fishing trawler with a smaller quantity of narcotics was intercepted off Dodanduwa, in Galle by the Navy. The Navy would not comment on whether both incidents were related. 

The Navy, utilising a number of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV’s) aided by local and international intelligence agencies arrested 819 kg of Heroin, 895 kg of Methamphetamine (ICE), 581 kg of Ketamine and 4976 kg of Kerala Cannabis last year.