Another consignment of 2925kg smuggled dried turmeric stocks seized

Navy managed to take hold of over 2925kg of dried turmeric and 11kg of cardamom stocks attempted to be smuggled in, during special operations conducted in seas off Mandagalaru and Narapadu in Mannar and Pallekuda beach in Mandaitivu this week. 

These separate raids led to the apprehension of 02 suspects in connection to these rackets, Navy said.

During a foot patrol in Pallekuda beach area, Mandaitivu on 12th October took hold of another stock of dried turmeric weighing about 805kg and 500g. The 15 sack consignment of turmeric had been recovered from a dinghy which was at the beach. As such, the consignment of turmeric and the dinghy were taken into naval custody.

The operations were conducted in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and the suspects held in seas off Mandagalaru are residents of Pesalai and Vankalai, aged 26 and 35, Navy said. Those suspects with dried turmeric and cardamom stocks as well as the dinghy were handed over to the Jaffna Customs for onward legal action.

Meanwhile, the consignments of turmeric and the dinghy held in Narapadu and Pallekuda have been kept in naval custody until they are produced for onward legal proceedings.