• Navy suspects that the heroin stock had been smuggled from Pakistan

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

 The six suspects who were arrested along with 175 kilos of heroin during a special search operation carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Police and other intelligence agencies in the seas south of Sri Lanka, had been brought ashore at the Galle Harbour.

 The Navy said the suspects were arrested when they were carrying narcotics which had a street value of Rs. 3.5 billion in a multi-day fishing vessel.

 The heroin was intercepted about 132 nautical miles (about 244km) off the Little Basses, Hambantota on 15th April 2023.

 It was reported that the trawler had set sail from the Kudawella fishery harbour on March 20.

 The Navy suspects that the heroin stock had been smuggled from Pakistan and was handed over to the vessel in international waters.

The suspects held in the operation have been identified as residents of Nakulugamuwa, Kudawella, Netolpitiya, and Trincomalee, who are from 25 to 32 years of age. They will be handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.

 Including the latest seizure, the Sri Lanka Navy has held drugs with a gross street value of over Rs. 4908 million during operations mounted in 2023. 

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