Accordingly, the North Central Naval Command and Mannar Police managed to nab a suspect who was attempting to sell 02kg and 66g of Kerala cannabis, during a coordinated operation conducted in Karsal on 16th February. In another naval operation carried out in seas off Thaulpadu, Mannar the Navy was able to apprehend 02 suspects attempting to smuggle a stock of dried turmeric by a dinghy. Inside the dinghy were 12 gunny sacks filled with about 412kg and 600g of dried turmeric. Along with the suspects, the dinghy and the stock of turmeric were also taken into naval custody.

These operations were carried out adhering to COVID 19 preventive guidelines and the accused held during these operations were identified as residents of Pesalei and Mannar areas.

The seized Kerala cannabis along with the suspect was handed over to the Mannar Police for onward legal action. Meanwhile the two suspects held with the stock of dried turmeric were handed over to the Public Health Inspector of Silawathura for 14 days of quarantine. Similarly, the stock of dried turmeric was handed over to the Customs Office, Jaffna and the dinghy is kept in naval custody until onward legal proceedings begins.