Navy intercepts trawler suspected of smuggling narcotics in southern waters

Newswire reports that the Navy intercepted the multi-day fishing trawler Phana Putha on the morning of November 1 in deep seas south of Sri Lanka. According to Navy media director Commander Chaminda Walakuluge, the vessel had left Gandara Fisheries Harbour on October 18 for fishing, and the Navy deployed the vessel Samudra Vijay after receiving specific intelligence. Daily Mirror also reports that the interception took place in international waters off the southern coast.

Newswire reports that Navy personnel found 10 sacks containing suspected narcotics during a search, and took the trawler, five people aboard and a satellite phone into custody. The vessel and those aboard were brought to Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on the fifth, where the Police Narcotics Bureau assisted with inspection.

Newswire reports that the inspection identified 100 packets suspected to contain ICE and 52 suspected to contain heroin. After the recovered drugs were weighed, Commander Walakuluge confirmed a total exceeding 189kg: more than 132kg of ICE and over 57kg of heroin, with an estimated street value above Rs. 4.2 billion. Ada Derana’s headline also reports a value of Rs. 4.2 billion.

Newswire reports that the operation drew intelligence support from the Police Special Task Force, state and international intelligence agencies, and anti-drug organisations. An earlier Newswire account, published while weighing was still underway, gave a provisional estimate of more than 150kg and Rs. 300 billion; later reporting from Newswire gave the confirmed weight and a value above Rs. 4.2 billion.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.