Assortment of smuggled items seized in coordinated operations

In a coordinated effort on 21 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard conducted separate search operations in the sea areas off Chilaw and Thoduwawa, leading to a significant seizure of smuggled items and the apprehension of 02 suspects and a dinghy (01). Among the seized items were; over 992kg of Kendu leaves, 140,000 foreign cigarettes and pesticide.

The search operations were conducted by SLNS Vijaya of the Northwestern Naval Command, working alongside the Coast Guard, leading to the recovery of 25 sacks of Kendu leaves weighing over 992kg, 14 packs holding 140,000 foreign cigarettes and a box of pesticides. It is suspected that smugglers would have abandoned the stock due to heightened naval surveillance in the areas.

The two (02) suspects taken into custody during the operations are residents of Kalpitiya. Those individuals, along with the haul of Kendu leaves, foreign cigarettes, and pesticides, were handed over to the Chilaw Excise Office for onward legal proceedings.