A joint operation by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Sri Lanka Navy resulted in the seizure of 400kg of suspected heroin and 100kg of suspected ICE from vessels intercepted in the high seas.

The month-long operation based on information received by the PNB, was conducted about 600 nautical miles (1111km) away from Sri Lankan shores. During the overall operation it was able to seize 400 kg of substance believed to be heroin (in 397 packets) and 100kg of substance believed to be ICE (in 100 packets). This is the biggest haul of narcotics seized in an operation at sea, the Navy stated.

If the substances are tested positive to be narcotics, their value will be amount to Rs 6 billion. 

The detections were made by the Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessels Samudura and Sindurala. 

Accordingly, two Sri Lankan fishing vessels with over 75 kg of substance believed to be heroin and 66 kg of substance believe to be ICE were intercepted in Southern seas. Four suspects who were in the vessels were taken into custody. During further investigations, a vessel without flag state was seized first, for suspiciously remaining in the high seas, to supply narcotics to Sri Lankan vessels at sea in the guise of fishing vessels.

On suspicion of  this ghost vessel it was inspected and based on information received a similar vessel without flag state in high seas was intercepted after a four day long mission. During the inspection of these vessels, 329 packages believed to be heroin and another 50 packets believed to be ICE were found.

The Navy has been able to extend its operations up to the equator in a bid to stop this drug trafficking and the assistance of PNB decoys was also received in this endeavour.

This whole drug trafficking network has been administered through satellite telephone conversations. Meanwhile the Navy through its advanced technology managed to box in Sri Lankan multi day fishing vessels and dinghies which came to obtain narcotics as well as the drug supplier who were in the guise of Sri Lankan fishermen. Further, information has been received that this narcotics supply network had been administered from a foreign country over the satellite communication. Meanwhile, drug peddlers who arrived to the beach area of Kudawella in Dikwella Matara to retrieve narcotics were taken into the custody of PNB as part of the land operation of this whole incident.

The investigations are still underway and seized vessels are to be escorted to the harbour and inspected further before releasing more details to media. Sri Lanka Navy has seized 762.253kg of heroin, 3653.427kg of Kerala cannabis and 3.010kg of ICE in year 2019 in its attempts to make the country free of drugs, the statement said.