Crystal Methamphetamine worth over Rs. 3380 million and multi-day fishing trawlers seized by Indian Navy with SLN assistance brought to port of Colombo
Following a successful intelligence collaboration between the Sri Lanka Navy and the Indian Navy, the Indian Navy intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler (01) carrying a large haul of Crystal Methamphetamine, another multi-day trawler (01) suspected of involvement in the smuggling along with a group of suspects. SLNS Gajabahu escorted those fishing trawlers and suspects to the Colombo port today (02nd December 2024), for onward legal action. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera visited Colombo port to inspect the seized haul of narcotics. The Defence Attaché of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Captain M. Anand, was also present during the inspection.
The Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with regional navies and maritime partners, plays a pivotal role in combating narcotics trafficking across the ocean by actively sharing intelligence and coordinating operations.
In a joint intelligence operation of the navies of India and Sri Lanka, the Indian Navy successfully intercepted these two Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawlers (02) in the Arabian Sea on 24th and 25th November. The first trawler was found carrying a large consignment of narcotics and had six (06) Sri Lankan nationals on board. The second trawler, suspected of involvement in the smuggling act, was apprehended with five (05) Sri Lankan nationals. On 29th November, the Indian Navy handed over those narcotics, trawlers and suspects to SLNS Gajabahu, to be escorted to Sri Lanka.
The suspects on the narcotics-laden trawler were identified as residents of Dondra, Gandara and Monaragala areas, from 24 to 49 years of age. Meanwhile, the suspects on the other trawler are residents of Dondra, from 32 to 54 years of age.
Upon through inspection at the port of Colombo by Police Narcotic Bureau, it was revealed that the haul of Crystal Methamphetamine, in 295 plastic packages, weighed about 355.828 kg.
The gross street value of seized narcotics is believed to be over Rs. 3380 million. The suspects along with the narcotics and trawlers will be handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.
In a similar successful intelligence exchange between the Sri Lanka Navy and the Maldivian Coast Guard, a local multi-day fishing trawler with 05 suspects was intercepted on 23rd November 2024 by the Maldivian Coast Guard. The operation led to the seizure of 344 kg of Crystal Methamphetamine and 124 kg of Cocaine.
The Navy strengthens efforts to combat drug trafficking by collaborating with regional maritime stakeholders to intercept individuals exploiting the fishing industry as a cover for illegal activities.