Navy takes hold of assortment of smuggled items during search operation in Kalpitiya

The Sri Lanka Navy seized a massive haul of items, suspected of being smuggled into the country, during a search operation conducted in the Thalawila beach area of Kalpitiya on 17 May 26.

Naval personnel from SLNS Vijaya, operating under the Northwestern Naval Command, mounted the search operation which led to the recovery of 28 suspicious sacks from the beach vicinity. The seized inventory comprised approximately 496 kg of wet-weight dried turmeric, 6,000 packets of foreign cigarettes, and 1,958 tubes containing various cosmetic products. Furthermore, the haul included a substantial quantity of agricultural chemicals, consisting of 1,146 bottles and 15,180 packets of insecticide.

The entire consignment of seized goods was subsequently handed over to the Kalpitiya Police Station for onward legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Navy maintains a continuous and vigilant watch around the island, conducting relentless patrols and search operations to curb smuggling and other illegal seaborne activities.