Rs. 1,758 million worth of heroin seized, nine suspects arrested

A 200kg of stash of heroin which was smuggled into Sri Lanka through sea routes on a fishing trawler has been seized by the Sri Lanka Navy, the Navy stated today (13).

The street value of the seized consignment of heroin is believed to be over Rs. 1758 million.

A total of 09 persons were arrested in connection with the incident in the southern seas near Polathumodara in Weligama. Accordingly, the suspects were residents of Weligama, Ahangama, Dikwella, Kottegoda, Ihalawatta, Mirissa, Polwathumodara and Piliyandala.

The multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Navy on suspicion of smuggling heroin had left the Kottegoda fisheries harbour, Matara on 11th May 2021 and it is suspected that the consignment of narcotics was taken loaded into the trawler from foreign smugglers in international waters.

The smuggled drugs had been parceled in gunny bags and concealed within hollowed gas cylinders.

The raid was carried out based on a tip-off received by the State Intelligence Service (SIS).