Over 290 kg of heroin valued at Rs. 2.3 Billion seized from fishing trawler in Southern Seas

COLOMBO (News 1st); During a special search operation conducted in the deep sea on August 30, 2021, a multi-day fishing trawler carrying 290 kilograms and 200 grams of heroin with 05 suspects was apprehended by the Navy.

The multi-day fishing trawler and the suspects carrying the heroin were brought ashore on Tuesday (31) morning.

Sri Lanka Navy Intelligence conducted a joint search operation in the deep sea on August 30, 2021 on the basis of information obtained from a joint intelligence operation conducted with other intelligence units.

The Navy recovered 259 parcels of 290 kilograms of heroin packed in 10 bags hidden in the multi-day trawler that was heading towards Sri Lankan shores.

Accordingly, the Navy seized the heroin, the multi-day fishing trawler and five suspects on board the trawler.

The multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Navy on suspicion of transporting heroin had left the country on July 30, 2021, and it is suspected that the consignment of narcotics transferred to the multi-day trawler by foreign smugglers in the international waters.

It is believed that the street value of the stock of heroin seized by the Navy is over Rs. 2,321 million.

The suspects, aged between 31 and 37, were identified as residents of Ahungalla, Balapitiya and Habaraduwa areas.

Currently, the Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau are conducting joint investigations.