Navy seized over 1377kg of smuggled dried turmeric during operations in last three days

Special operations conducted by the Navy in the last three days at the beach of Arippu in Mannar and lagoon area of Kalpitiya led to the recovery of about 1377kg of dried turmeric attempted to be smuggled into the country, Navy said.

A Naval patrolling vessel detected twp suspicious vessels speeding off to Sawaripuram from Arippu seas, in the dark hours on 24th August. Upon detection of these vessels, a team of Special Boat Squadron was deployed for this special operation, covering the beach and sea areas of Arippu. 

During the operation, naval personnel managed to recover about 449kg of smuggled dried turmeric in 11 sacks abandoned at the beach by smugglers, in fear of the operation, Navy said. 

Meanwhile, SLNS Pussadewa in North Central Naval Command also recovered 14 sacks filled with approx. 428kg and 400g dried turmeric left behind at Arippu beach in a dinghy, during an operation conducted on 23rd August 2021.

In a separate development, the Rapid Action Boat Squadron attached to the Northwestern Naval Command apprehended about 500kg of dried turmeric in 15 sacks loaded in 02 dinghies abandoned on the Ippantivu Island, during another operation carried out on 22nd August.

The stock of dried turmeric and dinghies held during these operations have been detained in naval custody until they are produced for onward legal proceedings.