STF bust Kerala cannabis drug smuggling ring in Jaffna; Rs 15 Mn recovered

A joint operation carried out by Special Task Force (STF) and Navy Intelligence personnel in Jaffna today resulted in the arrest of five suspects who are part of a wider narcotic smuggling ring across the Palk Straits and the seizing of Rs 15 million. 

The arrest came after Navy personnel seized a vehicle that was moving suspiciously in the Jaffna town area. The vehicle had been specifically designed in a way to smuggle narcotics without being detected by authorities. Three individuals who were in the vehicle were taken into custody by Navy personnel for further inquiries. 

Based on investigations, the group had come from the South to purchase Kerala cannabis that was to be smuggled from Mathagal, Jaffna via sea from South India. The group said they had paid Rs 20.3 million for consignment. An individual from Urumpirai was taken into custody along with Rs 55 million in his possession over the drug transactions. 

All five suspects are currently under Jaffna police custody and further investigations are underway. (Pix by N. Lohathayalan)