Navy apprehends 02 suspects with 342kg of cardamom and 1231kg of dried turmeric attempted to be smuggled in Kalpitiya

Separate search operations conducted by the Navy in the beach vicinity of Keeramundalama in Kalpitiya and Thorayadi sea area on 24 Jan 25 led to the seizure of about 342kg of cardamom and a dinghy loaded with about 1231kg of dried turmeric, attempted to be smuggled into the country. During these operations, the Navy also apprehended 02 suspects in connection to the act of smuggling.

The Sri Lanka Navy remains ever alert and conducts patrols and search operations in the coastal areas of the island to prevent the influx of illegal items.

As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Vijaya in the North Western Naval Command mounted a search operation in the Keeramundalama beach where 08 sacks of cardamom weighing 240kg were recovered, while hidden in the beach vicinity. A subsequent search conducted in the Thorayadi sea area also led to the interception of a suspicious dinghy which had been loaded with 40 sacks of dried turmeric weighing about 1231kg and 03 packages of cardamom weighing about 102kg. Accordingly, the dinghy and smuggled items were taken into naval custody, along with 02 suspects in connection to this act of smuggling.

The 02 suspects held in these operations were identified as residents of Anawasala area in Kalpitiya. The suspects together with seized cardamom, dried turmeric and the dinghy will be handed over to the Customs Preventive Office, Katunayake for onward legal proceedings.