• The Navy intercepted a foreign vessel with over 170kg and 866g of heroin worth more than Rs. 1575 million in international waters south of Sri Lanka recently with 09 foreign nationals aboard

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Following the seizure of over 170kg of heroin in international waters south of Sri Lanka by the Sri Lanka Navy last week, the Navy said they have seized over Rs. 7 billion worth of heroin during drug busts from August 30 2021 to date. 

Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a foreign fishing vessel carrying over 170kg and 866g of heroin worth more than Rs. 1575 million in international waters south of Sri Lanka recently along with 09 foreign nationals aboard.
In earlier intelligence operations conducted by the Navy Intelligence in collaboration with the State Intelligence Service, the Navy seized a local multiday fishing trawler smuggling about 290kg and 200g of heroin and held 05 local suspects on high seas. By the same token, the Navy intercepted a foreign fishing vessel carrying another 336kg and 300g stock of heroin in international waters off the southern coast and apprehended 07 foreign suspects aboard. After having brought these drug vessels and their suspects ashore respectively on 31st August and 04th September 2021, subsequent investigations into the above incidents soon got underway.

The latest heroin bust was made based on the the information divulged from the two previous investigations and taking into account intelligence information by Sri Lanka Police.