STF seizes 25,000 kg of illegally imported turmeric; arrests four

The Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested four suspects at the Kalametiya Fishery Harbour with over 25,000 kg of turmeric smuggled into the country from India in a multi-day fishing trawler.

The multi-day trawler was seized at the Kalametiya fishing harbour in the Hungama Police Division early on Sunday morning on a tip off received by the intelligence unit at Gonahena STF camp.

During the search of the vessel, the STF officers were able to find the consignment of turmeric smuggled from India carefully packed in sacks and concealed in fish tanks.

The seized turmeric consignment weighs more than 25,000 kg and worth Rs. 120 million, officials said. Four persons on board the fishing vessel have been arrested on suspicion. They are residents of Beruwela and Hungama.

The suspects and the turmeric stock have been handed over to the Hungama Police for onward court actions.

The arrested suspects are to be produced before the Angunakolapelessa Magistrate’s Court.