Navy nabs foreign fishing vessel with Rs. 2.5 b worth of heroin

A special operation mounted by the Navy in international waters south of Sri Lanka recently led to the intercept of a fishing vessel of foreign origin carrying about 250kg and 996g (including packages) of heroin with six suspects. 

The consignment of illegal drugs valued at over Rs. 2,509 million street value and the six foreign suspects were brought to the port of Colombo yesterday by Sri Lanka Navy. Defence Secretary General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne were also present at the Colombo harbour to inspect the apprehended haul of narcotics.

Based on information received, the Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Police Narcotic Bureau, launched this special operation in international waters. Accordingly, SLNS Sayura deployed for this dedicated operation, managed to intercept a suspicious fishing vessel of foreign origin in international waters about 900 nautical miles (about 1,665 km) off the southern coast, and searched the vessel. The search made way for the recovery of nine sacks containing 225 packages of heroin weighing about 250kg and 996g (including packaging) from the vessel. The operation also led to the apprehension of six foreign suspects aboard the vessel. Accordingly, the consignment of illegal drugs, the fishing vessel and the suspects were brought to the port of Colombo yesterday under the escort of SLNS Sayura.

In recent anti-drug operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy on high seas, a local multiday fishing vessel carrying 290kg and 200g of heroin was seized on 30 August. Similarly, the Navy intercepted another foreign fishing vessel carrying over 336kg and 300g of heroin on 4 September. A foreign fishing vessel with 170kg and 866g stocks of heroin was held on 10 September, as a result of the Navy’s continuous anti-drug operations. These operations were conducted by the Navy Intelligence in collaboration with the State Intelligence Service.

The Sri Lanka Navy said it had been able to net in over 1,268kg of heroin alone in its major anti-drug operations thus far in 2021, and that the gross street value of the heroin seized was believed to be over Rs. 12.26 billion.

Further, the Sri Lanka Navy – the country’s ‘first line of defence’ – is committed to coordinating with other law enforcement authorities, to carry out anti-drug operations of this nature in order to eradicate the drug menace from society.

The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols. The identities of the foreign suspects apprehended in this operation have not yet been confirmed. Onward investigations and legal proceedings into the incident will be carried out by the Navy and Police Narcotics Bureau.