The Navy managed to seize over 4,150kg of smuggled dried turmeric and apprehend 16 suspects involved in the racketeering, during special operations conducted in Northwestern and North Central Naval Commands.

The operations had been carried out on the 30th and 31st October 2020, stated Sri Lanka Navy.

Upon noticing the suspicious behavior of a group of persons during a patrol carried in the beach area of Erambugodella in Ettalai, Puttalam, the Northwestern Naval Command had interrogated them, leading to the seizure of a stock of smuggled dried turmeric.

Accordingly, 2,042kg of dried turmeric contained in 65 sacks, 01 lorry, 01 motorbike, and 05 suspects had been held during the operation.

Meanwhile, during another operation in the Periyapadu Beach area in the early hours on 31st October, the Navy took hold of another stock of smuggled dried turmeric brought to the shore by 02 dinghies and while it was being loaded to a lorry.

Further investigation into the incident led to the recovery of 03 more dried turmeric sacks hidden by racketeers in a house nearby.

Accordingly, the operation paved the way to seize 1,600kg of dried turmeric stuffed in 45 sacks, 02 dinghies, 01 cab, and the apprehension of 08 suspects.

Meanwhile, the North Central Naval Command, upon spotting a suspicious dinghy off Vankalai beach in Mannar in the dark hours on 30th October, intercepted the dinghy as it was reaching the beach the following day.

On receipt of further information from the racketeers, the Navy had been able to find 508kg of turmeric (in wet weight) in 08 sacks jettisoned into the water with the intention of smuggling into the island later. The Navy has also held 03 suspects and the dingy during this operation.

All these operations had been conducted adhering to strict safety and health guidelines stipulated for the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The accused held during these separate operations were identified as residents of Puttalam, Ettalai, Konthantivu, Madurankuliya, Palavi, and Mannar, aged from 20 to 64 years.

After having disinfected the consignment of turmeric as well as the suspects along with the seized items were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office of Katunayake and Mannar Police station for onward legal action.