Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna said that the Navy nabbed a fishing vessel carrying over 336kg (including the packages) of heroin worth over Rs.3,100 million thanks to intelligence operations of the Navy.
He was addressing a media briefing at the Defence Ministry.
He said that based on the intelligence information, the Navy had dispatched two vessels and nabbed the heroin haul after a two week sea operation. He said that the Police had provided the intelligence information to the Navy in making this operation a success.
The Navy Commander said that the Navy Intelligence Units are constantly working along with the other forces to analyse the information and launch strategies to nab such drug operations. He also said that the Navy obtains the assistance of the Air Force in surveillance operations of the waters around the country.
According to the Navy Commander, from 2019 to date, the Navy had seized 1,430kg of heroin, 1,3501kg of Kerala cannabis, 89kg of Hashish, 1,038kg of Ice and 26,398 narcotic tablets in sea operations. He also said that the Navy has deployed fast attack craft round the clock to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country despite bad weather conditions.
The Navy Commander asked the fishing community not to fall prey to these drug operators and risk their lives by getting involved in their operations.
