Four suspects with Kerala cannabis valued over Rs. 43 million held in Mandaitivu and Pallekuda

Search operations conducted by the Navy off the Mandaitivu Island and in the Pallekuda beach vicinity in Pooneryn, Jaffna with the assistance of Police led to the apprehension of 04 suspects with over 108kg of Kerala cannabis and a dinghy on 20th January 2025.

The Navy keeps a round-the-clock vigil in the coastal and sea areas of the island with a view to preventing nefarious activities taking place via sea routes.

As part of a search operation carried out by SLNS Welusumana in the Northern Naval Command deploying naval craft, a suspicious dinghy was intercepted in the sea area south of Mandaitivu in the wee hours of 20th January. As the dinghy was suspected of smuggling Kerala cannabis, it was held with 02 suspects aboard. The operation was conducted based on information received by the Northern Naval Command.

A follow up operation conducted by SLNS Welusumana with Police Crime Investigation Bureau, Jaffna in the Pallekuda beach vicinity led to the seizure of about 108kg and 46g of Kerala cannabis in 44 parcels from an uninhabited fishing hut. The operation also led to the apprehension of 02 suspects in connection to the incident.

The gross street value of Kerala cannabis seized in this operation is believed to be over Rs. 43 million.

The suspects held in the Mandaitivu sea area on suspicion of smuggling Kerala cannabis were identified as residents of Guru Nagar and Malladi in Jaffna, aged 39 and 41. Those nabbed with Kerala cannabis in Pallekuda were identified as residents of Pooneryn and Mannar, aged 35 and 47.

The suspects, along with the consignment of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy were handed over to the Jaffna Police through Police Crime Investigation Bureau for onward legal action.