Fifteen persons nabbed for engaging in illegal activities

Navy nabbed 15 persons engaged in several unlawful acts including; illegal fishing and peddling illegal drugs at separate locations of the island over the last couple of days, Navy said.

Naval personnel attached to a craft belonging to the North Central Naval Command, during routine patrol, recovered 606.4 kg of Kendu Leaves (Beedi Wrappers) from the sea area between Sand Dune VII and IMBL on September 17. It is believed that the stock of these Kendu Leaves, packed in gunny bags, has been abandoned in the above sea area with the intention of smuggling them into the country. The recovered stock of Beedi Wrappers was handed over to the Jaffna Customs Office for onward investigation.

A group of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command apprehended 07 persons for engaging in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets in the general area of Kalladichenai on 18th September. Along with the suspects 03 unauthorized fishing nets and 03 dinghies were also taken into naval custody. The apprehended fishermen, fishing nets, dinghies and other fishing gear have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Muthur for onward action.

A person engaged in illegal fishing by means of unauthorized fishing nets in the beach area of Vankalai was held by naval personnel of the North Central Naval Command on 19th September. The suspect along with the fishing net used for this purpose was handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Vankalai for further investigation.

A group of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command nabbed 07 persons for engaging in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets in the general area of Uppural on 22nd September. Along with the suspects 200 kg of illegally caught fish, 01 unauthorized fishing net and 02 dinghies were also held by the Navy. The apprehended suspects along with their fishing gear have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Trincomalee for onward action.