The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi-day fishing trawler and apprehended 05 suspects involved in the smuggling of several bird and reptile species.
In a significant crackdown on wildlife smuggling, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Coast Guard ship Suraksha for the operation in the southern waters on Sunday (July 07).
The Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard continuously carry out operations to combat a wide range of smuggling rackets along the country’s seas and coastlines.
According to the Sri Lanka Navy, this operation was conducted based on a comprehensive information analysis by Naval Intelligence over an extended period, focusing on a smuggling racket of birds and reptiles.
Upon inspection of the suspicious trawler in the southern waters, a variety of 13 pythons, 01 monitor lizard, 01 tortoise and 03 parrots were found, raising concerns over an act of wildlife smuggling. Thus, the fishing trawler, along with 05 suspects, was taken into custody.
The multi-day fishing trawler was escorted to the Galle harbour on Tuesday, where officials of the Department of Wildlife Conservation examined the animals and identified them as non-native species to Sri Lanka.
The multi-day trawler, which was held on the charges of wildlife smuggling, had left Negombo for fishing activities. The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Negombo and Kochchikade, who are from 34 to 67 years of age.
The apprehended suspects along with the trawler and animals were handed over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation – Hikkaduwa for legal action.
The Navy said it is believed that these animals were smuggled, either to be brought into the country from abroad or to be sent to another destination. (Newswire)