The Sri Lanka Navy has foiled a smuggling attempt involving a large consignment of Kendu leaves and cardamom during a search operation carried out at Mampuri Beach recently.
Naval personnel seized over 1,002 kilograms of Kendu leaves (wet weight) and approximately 116 kilograms of cardamom, along with a dinghy used for the illegal transfer. Two suspects were also arrested in connection with the incident.
The operation was conducted by SLNS Thambapanni under the Northwestern Naval Command. During a patrol along the Mampuri coastal belt, naval teams detected a suspicious dinghy and, upon inspection, uncovered the smuggled goods brought into the country in violation of regulations.
The suspects, aged 40 and 52, are residents of the Mampuri and Thalavila areas in Puttalam.
The arrested individuals, along with the seized items and dinghy, have been handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for further investigations and legal action.
