Navy thwarts smuggling attempt: consignment of spices seized with 5 suspects in Kalpitiya seas

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 5 suspects and seized a multiday fishing trawler (1) smuggling a consignment, suspected to be cardamom and ginger, off Baththalangunduwa in Kalpitiya today, 20 September 2026.

Naval personnel aboard SLNS Edithara II, attached to the Western Naval Command, intercepted and inspected this suspicious multiday trawler in the Baththalangunduwa sea area during a search operation. They recovered 9 sacks suspected to contain a smuggled consignment of cardamom and ginger.

The 5 suspects, aged between 20 and 59, were identified as residents of Gandara. The apprehended suspects, the multiday trawler and the seized spices are being brought ashore for further legal proceedings.