Navy assists apprehension of 952kg stock of smuggled dried turmeric

The Navy with the assistance of Police apprehended a suspect with about 952kg of dried turmeric, during a special search operation conducted at Irukkulampiddi in Mannar on 28th September 2020. Further, the consignment of turmeric is believed to have been smuggled into the country by sea routes.

This large consignment of dried turmeric stuffed in 31 delivery sacks had been found after searching a suspicious house at Irukkulampiddi in Mannar, by the North Central Naval Command in coordination with the Police Division Vice Branch Mannar, during a special search operation. The operation also made way for the apprehension of a suspect in connection to the incident. It is suspected that the stock of turmeric has been hidden by racketeers, after having smuggled them into the island.

The apprehended person was identified as a resident of the same area, aged 52. Meanwhile, the accused along with the seized quantity of dried turmeric was handed over to the Mannar Police for onward investigation.