Sri Lanka Navy says that it has seized a large amount of narcotics including around 30 kilograms of heroin, nearly 1,500 kg of Kerala Cannabis and over 3,200 kg of cannabis so far this year and that almost 200 arrests have been made along with these drugs. 

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Navy said it render its fullest assistance to the joint national effort for elimination of drugs launched under the direction of the President Maithripala Sirisena to create a country free of drugs.

The Navy said it has taken swift action against a number of cases involving the possession and sale of drugs in violation of the Excise Ordinance. “Accordingly, it has apprehended a large quantity of drugs smuggled into the country via sea and arrested a large number of drug dealers and handed them over to the law enforcement authorities for legal action.”

Based on naval intelligence, 29.9 kilograms of heroin, 1,466.5 kilograms of Kerala cannabis and 3,219.7 kilograms of cannabis have been taken into naval custody during the period beginning from January this year up to now. 

Further, 3 kilograms of hashish, 118 packets of Madana Modaka (aphrodisiac pills), 33,286 capsules of pain killers, 8,660 illegal cigarettes, 128.45 kilograms of illegal tobacco products and 182 litres of illegal alcohol were also seized by the Navy. 

It also said that 193 persons including 08 Indian nationals were also taken into naval custody along with these drugs and handed over to the law enforcement authorities for legal action.

“The Navy, in close coordination with the national task force to eliminate drugs, continues its operations against drug smuggling via sea as well as on land under the direction of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah.”