Over 370kg of smuggled dried turmeric and over 294kg of Kendu leaves were seized by the Sri Lanka Navy during a special search operation conducted this morning in the beach areas of Konthampiddi, Mannar and Arippu in Silawathura.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the racket.
As a result of Navy’s continuous vigil in coastal areas of the island to curb smuggling by sea, the North Central Naval Command managed to make this apprehension at Konthampiddi beach this morning, after interrogation of 02 individuals for their suspicious behaviour.
Along with the suspects, the Navy seized about 370kg and 600g of dried turmeric in 13 sacks which were attempted to be smuggled into the country by sea routes.
In a separate development, the Northwestern Naval Command was able to find about 294kg and 100g of Kendu leaves (in 03 sacks) attempted to be smuggled in by sea, during a patrol conducted in Arippu beach this morning.
The operations were carried out adhering to COVID-19 protocols in place for the prevention of the pandemic and the suspects held in it were identified as residents of Palleimunai in Mannar, aged 33 and 37.
The accused were then handed over to the Public Health Inspector of Mannar for quarantine, whereas the stock of dried turmeric was handed over to the Jaffna Customs Office for onward legal action.
Meanwhile, the haul of Kendu leaves is kept in naval custody until it is produced for onward legal proceedings.