Nine arrested with 60 kg of heroin

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday seized a fishing vessel which was carrying 60 kg of heroin in the seas off Galle and arrested nine suspects in it.   

Navy Spokesman Lt. Commander Isuru Suriyabandara said the fishing vessel was sailing without a flag state nor registration markings.The Navy suspected the fishing vessel could be a foreign one.   

The Spokesman said the vessel was being escorted to Galle Harbour for further investigations.   

The Navy suspects that the Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawler which was apprehended on Wednesday in the seas off Galle along with four crew members and narcotic samples on-board, had links with the foreign fishing vessel that was taken into custody by the navy yesterday.   

The suspects and narcotics were to be handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB). Investigations are continuing to ascertain the nationality of the arrested suspects.   

The fishing vessel was sailing without a flag state nor registration markings and the Navy suspected it could be a foreign one