Navy gets hold of about 1954kg of smuggled dried turmeric during special operations

Special operations conducted by the Navy in northwestern seas, Kiranchi beach area in Kilinochchi and Udayirputi Island in Kalpitiya, led to the recovery of about 1954kg of smuggled dried turmeric, on 06th and 07th October 2021.

SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command managed to recover a stock of dried turmeric, in a special operation mounted upon detection of an Indian fishing vessel in Sri Lankan waters northwest of the island on 06th October. The special operation was conducted by a team of Special Boat Squadron by means of Inshore Patrol Craft P 237 and 261. In the presence of naval units, the Indian fishing vessel has cruised away from island waters, throwing some sacks overboard. Subsequent search in the sea area made way to retrieve 21 sacks of turmeric, adrift in water. The recovered haul of dried turmeric weighed about 800kg with wet weight.

Meanwhile, SLNS Buwaneka in the North central Naval Command took hold of another approx. 304kg (with wet weight) stock of dried turmeric stuffed in 05 sacks, during an operation conducted in Kiranchi beach area on 06th October. The consignment was submerged in coastal waters by the smugglers, failing to take them away due to naval operations in the area.

Another operation carried out by Rapid Action Boat Squadron Headquarters attached to the Northwestern Naval Area on the Udayirputi Island in Kalpitiya this morning (07th October), made way to the recovery of 31 sacks containing about 850kg of dried turmeric (with wet weight), hidden away by smugglers on the island.

These operations were conducted in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and the total consignment of dried turmeric (about 1954kg with wet weight) has been kept in naval custody until they are produced for onward legal proceedings.