A total of 200 packets of Ice (crystal methamphetamine) and 275 packets of heroin, weighing 475 kg in total, were found in the sacks recovered from Thalalla Beach in Galle this morning (24) during a special joint operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard, the Navy Spokesman said.

The coordinated operation was mounted following credible information received by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. During the operation, search teams recovered 10 sacks and 11 travel bags suspected of containing narcotics on the beach, alongside a dinghy believed to have been used to smuggle the consignment, said Sri Lanka Navy.

Subsequent examinations conducted with the assistance of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) confirmed the presence of over 200kg of Ice in 200 packages and over 257kg of heroin in 275 packs. The seized narcotics and the dinghy will be handed over to the PNB for further legal proceedings.

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala and Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) along with Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, Commander Southern Naval Area Rear Admiral HNS Perera, Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ruwan Rupasena and Director General Operations Rear Admiral Chaminda Karunasena were present to inspect the seized narcotic consignment. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Minister of Defence stated that, in parallel with safeguarding national security, the Sri Lanka Navy continuously conducts intensified operations in waters surrounding the island, in support of the 'A Nation United' national programme against the drug menace.

He noted that over the past year, joint efforts by the Navy and Coast Guard have led to the seizure of narcotics with an estimated street value of Rs. 97 billion. He added that joint operations involving the Armed Forces, Police, PNB, Special Task Force, and local and foreign intelligence agencies will continue to prevent narcotics from entering the country.

The Deputy Minister urged the public to support law enforcement agencies by sharing information through the dedicated hotlines 1818 or 1997, while acknowledging the role played by the media in raising public awareness about substance abuse, it said.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, intelligence services, and law enforcement agencies, remains steadfast in the national effort to counter the menace of narcotics.