Navy thwarts smuggling racket; over 1670kg of Kendu leaves seized

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of about 1670kg and 500g of smuggled Kendu leaves and a dinghy, during a search operation conducted off Kepumgoda, Negombo on 01 Jan 25.

The Navy remains ever alert and conducts patrols and search operations in the coastal areas of the island to prevent the influx of illegal items into the country.

As an extension of these efforts, the search operation was mounted by SLNS Kelani, deploying Fast Attack Craft of the Western Naval Command. During the operation, naval personnel intercepted and examined a suspicious dinghy adrift at sea, leading to the seizure of approximately 1670kg and 500g of Kendu leaves.

It is suspected that smugglers abandoned this batch of Kendu leaves and the dinghy at sea, likely unable to bring them ashore due to naval operations. The stock of Kendu leaves and the dinghy was handed over to the Customs Preventive Office, Katunayake for onward legal action.