COLOMBO : The Sri Lankan Navy in coordination with the Police Narcotics Bureau in international waters south of the country, arrested seven foreign nationals and seized 240kg of narcotics suspected to be heroin, Sri Lankan media reported. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, upon boarding the foreign vessel they recovered about 240kg of narcotics. There were seven foreign nationals on board, who were indulging in the act of smuggling. The narcotics are suspected to be heroin, reported the Daily Mirror. The narcotics were found in 220 packages, stuffed in 8 sacks.
It is estimated that the heroin confiscated during the operation is worth approximately LKR 4,800 million in the open market. However, accurate information regarding the type of narcotics along with the amount of substance seized will be further verified after the consignment is brought ashore, reported the Daily Mirror. The special operation was conducted by the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Sayurala which put on surveillance for about three weeks in the international waters. In one such surveillance, the SLNS Sayurala spotted a stateless foreign fishing vessel, which raised suspicions.
Although on detection, when SLNS Sayurala asked the vessel to stop for searching it tried to escape despite warning firing shots. It resulted in the collision of the vessel with SLNS Sayurala inflicting damage to the vessel, reported the Daily Mirror. It is suspected that the smugglers were trying to get the narcotics transferred and fetch them into the country in the foreign fishing vessel. They assumed that they would be able to carry out this act under the guise of a fishing vessel, engaged in fishing activities.
The identities of the accused foreign nationals have not been confirmed as of yet. However, the Sri Lankan Navy accompanied by the Police Narcotic Bureau will dive further into this matter. They would carry further investigations and legal proceedings forward, reported the Daily Mirror—AN