Continuing its support to the “A Nation United” National Mission in 2026, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted two multi-day fishing trawlers suspected of drug smuggling during a special operation conducted on the high seas south of Sri Lanka.
Based on shared intelligence with the Police, the Navy deployed Offshore Patrol Vessels, resulting in the apprehension of eleven (11) suspects. Five (05) suspects were arrested during the initial interception, while six (06) more were taken into custody during follow-up operations. Communication equipment used for smuggling activities was also seized.
On the morning of the 25th, the two trawlers, fourteen (14) sacks of suspected narcotics, and the suspects were brought to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour. Police Narcotic Bureau examinations confirmed the haul included over 184 kilograms of heroin and more than 112 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine).
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and Inspector General of Police Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya inspected the seized narcotics. The Deputy Minister stated that coordinated anti-narcotic operations under the guidance of the Honorable President will continue to deny drug traffickers any opportunity to smuggle narcotics into the country.
The trawlers, narcotics, eleven suspects, and seized equipment were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for further investigations and legal action.
