• The smugglers might have retrieved the stock of Kerala cannabis to the  dinghy at the International Maritime Boundary Line to smuggle  them into the island 

The Navy has seized about 344.5 kg of Kerala cannabis along with three suspects and a dinghy in the seas off the Analathivu islet in Jaffna early yesterday.  

 The Sri Lanka Navy had been conducting regular operations in the waters of the islets to prevent illegal activities including the smuggling of drugs by sea.  

 The Fast Attack Craft P 497 of 04th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla attached to the Northern Naval Command had intercepted a suspicious dinghy heading landward, in seas Northwest of the Analathivu islet  and had seized the stock along with the suspects.  

 It is suspected that the smugglers might have retrieved the stock of Kerala cannabis to the dinghy at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) to smuggle them into the island. Meanwhile, the street value of the seized stock of Kerala cannabis  was believed to be over Rs. 103 million.  

 The operation was carried out in compliance with COVID-19 protocols in place due to pandemic concerns. The  three suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Nachchikuda, Mannar and Guru Nagar Jaffna aged 34 to 38 years. The apprehended suspects together with the productions will be handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for onward legal action.