Navy apprehends 04 persons suspected of involvement in human smuggling in Talaimannar

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of 02 dinghies and 04 individuals aboard, suspected of their involvement in human smuggling, during a search carried out in Sand Dunes 3, Talaimannar on 21st October 2023.

The Navy conducts regular patrols and search operations in the coastal and sea areas of the island to prevent a wide range of illegal activities taking place via sea routes.

As an extension of these efforts, this special search operation was conducted by SLNS Thammanna and SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command, deploying Inshore Patrol Craft in Sand Dunes 3. In this search operation, naval personnel intercepted 02 dinghies in the sea area, on suspicion. As 04 individuals aboard those dinghies were remaining in the area without valid license and suspected of involvement in human smuggling, from a foreign country to Sri Lanka, they were taken into the naval custody.

The suspects held in this search operation were identified as residents of Pesalei, Mannar, from 28 to 45 years of age. Meanwhile, the suspects and dinghies were handed over to the Talaimannar Police and Mannar Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.