Three (03) persons held in Mannar for illegal possession of 14,163 conch shells

The Navy and Police apprehended 03 individuals for the unlawful possession of 14,163 conch shells, during a search operation conducted in Irukkalapmpiddi, Mannar on 15th January 2024. The suspects were taken into custody as the size of the seized shells was not within the legally accepted limit.

The search operation was carried out by SLNS Pussadewa and SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command, with the assistance of Police Divisional Crime Detective Bureau, Mannar in Irukkalapmpiddi area. The illegal stash of 14,163 conch shells was found stored in a house, leading to the arrest of the suspects, including 02 males and 01 female. It was revealed that the size of the seized conch shells was not within the legally accepted limit of 70 mm.

The arrested suspects were identified as residents of Mannar, Eththalai and Irukkulampiddi areas, from 24 to 33 years of age. The accused, along with conch shells, were handed over to the Mannar Police for onward legal action.