Navy foils illegal sand mining racket in Upparu

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 02 suspects and seized 18 dinghies loaded with illegally mined sand during a search operation conducted on 06 Mar 26, near the Upparu Bridge along the Mahaweli River in Trincomalee.

The operation was carried out by personnel from SLNS Gokanna, belonging to the Eastern Naval Command, who detected the suspicious dinghies as part of their efforts to curb unauthorised sand mining activities.

The 02 suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Kinniya, aged 43 and 46. The suspects along with the 18 dinghies and the load of illegally mined sand were handed over to the Kinniya Police Station for further investigation and necessary legal proceedings.