News
Multibillion heroin haul seized from local trawlers
View(s):By S. Rubatheesan
Two Sri Lankan vessels – Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s Samudraraksha and the Navy’s SLNS Vijayabahu were engaged in patrolling in deep southern waters near the International Maritime Boundary Line last Thursday following intelligence from the State Intelligence Service of movements of narcotics.
The two vessels on Thursday and Friday seized 431 kilos of heroin worth Rs 8.5 billion in street value in separate operations.
On October 19, SLNS Vijayabahu intercepted a local fishing trawler about 292 nautical miles (about 540 km) south of Dondra and recovered 219 kilos of heroin with a street value of Rs 4.5 billion.
The recent haul of 431 kilos of heroin seized by the Navy
Hours later, SLCG Samudraraksha intercepted another local fishing trawler (October 20) about 91 nautical miles (about 168km) off west of Galle and found 212 kilos of heroin and crystal methamphetamine, or ‘ice’ worth Rs 4 billion.
From the two raids, six suspects were arrested and handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau.
Stressing that the raids are collective operations of armed forces and intelligence, navy spokesman Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya said the drug shipments could have originated from Afghanistan or the Pakistan border.
“With all suspects along with narcotic consignments handed over to Narcotics Bureau, the police are carrying out further details in this regard,” Capt Wickramasuriya said.
So far this year, the navy
has seized Rs 15.16 billion worth of narcotic drugs.
Sagala Ratnayaka, senior adviser on national security to the President and chief of staff saw the narcotics at Colombo port on Tuesday. He noted that while 65% of drug raids resulted in arrests, 35% still enters the country.
He said that an “anti-narcotic command’ is to be set up combining the armed forces and intelligence with the collaboration of foreign intelligence agencies.
“According to the latest intelligence, these drug shipments arrive at the international maritime border via large vessels and are subsequently transported into the country via smaller boats. This expansive drug network poses a significant challenge,” Mr Ratnayaka said.
To give legal effect to the new body, legislation is being drafted, he said.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!