Navy takes hold of smuggled cashew nut consignment in Puttalam; Two suspects apprehended

The Navy seized a massive haul of smuggled dried cashew nuts (approx. 1840kg) during a search operation conducted in the Alankuda and Bangalawatta beach areas of Kalpitiya on 10 Mar 26.

Operating under the Northwestern Naval Command, personnel from SLNS Vijaya intercepted 02 suspicious lorries during the operation. Upon a thorough inspection of the vehicles, naval personnel discovered 46 packages containing approximately 1,840 kg of dried cashew nuts, suspected to have been smuggled into the country. Along with the haul of cashew nuts, the Navy took 02 suspects and the 02 lorries into custody.

The apprehended individuals, identified as 33-year-old residents of Norochcholai and Alankuda, were handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for further legal proceedings. The consignment of cashew nuts and the seized vehicles were also transferred to the Customs authorities to facilitate the ongoing investigation.