SLN nabs 3,704 kilos of smuggled dried turmeric
September 20, 2021Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) during special raids conducted recently in beach areas of South Bar and Irukkalampiddi and in the seas off South of Mannar nabbed over 3,704 kilos of smuggled dried turmeric.
The Northwestern Naval Command and SLN Establishment 'Gajaba' in the North Central Naval Command have conducted these operations, they also said.
According to the SLN sources, four local suspects with a dinghy as well as six foreign nationals and their dhow used for these illegal acts were seized during the operations conducted on separate occasions.
The racketeers held in South Bar aged 21 to 34 were identified as residents of Mannar and they were handed over to the Mannar Public Health Inspector for quarantine, the SLN said.
The foreign nationals and their dhow held in the seas off South of Mannar were repatriated to their home waters while the haul of dried turmeric and the dinghy held in these operations were kept in naval custody until they are produced for onward legal proceedings, the SLN added. .
The SLN also confirmed that these operations were conducted following healthcare guidelines.
