The Sri Lanka Navy has seized more than 735kg of smuggled Kendu leaves and had apprehended two suspects during a search operation in the Negombo Lagoon.
The operation was carried out by SLNS Kelani belonging to the Western Naval Command.
During the search, Navy personnel had intercepted and searched a suspicious dinghy navigating the lagoon.
Accordingly, the search had led to the recovery of the consignment of Kendu leaves stuffed in 20 sacks, officials said.
The Navy also took into custody the two individuals onboard and the dinghy used to transport the consignment.
The suspects, aged 29 and 32, are residents of Negombo.
The suspects, the seized Kendu leaves and the dinghy were handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for further legal proceedings.
