Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 63m seized in Navy operation

The navy has rounded up suspects attempting to smuggle about 213kg of Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 63 million by sea into Sri Lanka.

A special search operation carried out by the Navy in the sea area off Vettalakeni, led to the discovery.

Incidentally, the Northern Naval Command managed to take hold of this stock of Kerala cannabis (about 213kg) in 98 packages stuffed in eight polythene sacks, after inspecting a suspicious dinghy in the sea area off Vettalakeni.

It is believed that the street value of the haul of cannabis is about Rs. 63.9 million.

The suspects held during the operation were identified as residents of Vettalakeni, Uduththurei and Aliyawalei, aged 36 and 41.

The accused along with the stock of Kerala cannabis and dinghy were handed over to the Palai Police station for onward legal action.

Meanwhile, the operation was carried out adhering to health and safety guidelines for the prevention of COVID–19.