News
Authorities on a spree of successful drug seizures on land and at sea
View(s):By Sandun Jayawardana
Authorities have successfully carried out a spate of drug seizures and arrests, both on land and at sea over the past two weeks, with stepped up anti-narcotics operations bringing results.
The seizures include two mid-sea interceptions by the Sri Lanka Navy on April 5 and 11, which resulted in the capture of two local multi-day fishing trawlers carrying stocks of heroin and ‘Ice.’ The two interceptions led to the combined seizure of nearly 270kg of heroin and 713kg of methamphetamine (Ice). A total of 13 suspects who served as crew members of the two vessels were also arrested.
One of the many detections by the Navy
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized nearly 270kg of heroin and 713kg Ice, 1414kg of Kerala Cannabis, 19.3 kg of hashish and 23, 145 narcotics pills so far for this year, according to statistics.
The Navy deploys its assets based on two ways. One is through security assessments, after identifying threat perspectives and avenue of approaches. The second is based on reliable information through its strong information sharing network, Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman Cmdr. Buddhika Sampath told the Sunday Times.
There have been several major drug busts on land as well, most notably at the Kudawella Fisheries Harbour in the early hours of April 13. Two alert traffic policemen had stopped a suspicious lorry, that was supposedly transporting fish stocks from the harbor, and were able to uncover a haul of 65.7kg of heroin and 52.2kg of Ice hidden inside. Two satellite phones were also seized while the lorry driver and his assistant were taken into custody. Another suspect who was in the lorry however, managed to escape.
On the orders of the Acting Inspector General (IGP), Police have also intensified their ongoing anti-narcotics operations from April 13. Accordingly, operations have been launched to identify active drug trafficking networks within each police division and arrest those involved. This island-wide operation is currently ongoing, Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent (SSP) Buddhika Manatunga stated.
Sri Lanka Customs too arrested several local and foreign passengers trying to smuggle narcotics into the country in recent day. Yesterday (19), Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) arrested a woman arriving on a flight from India while allegedly attempting to smuggle in 3kg of ‘Kush’ narcotics with a street value of about Rs. 33 million, Customs officials said.
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