Navy seizes Rs. 12.5 b drug haul, first detection of ketamine

• Navy brings ashore drug haul 
• 605 kg crystal methamphetamine, 579 kg ketamine apprehended 
• Suspects large amounts of drugs were for distribution across South Asia and Pacific 
• Warns fishermen to not get involved in drug racket
• Says Navy has capacity to track small boats as well 

The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday brought ashore narcotics estimated to be worth Rs. 12.5 billion, which was intercepted in a state-less vessel in the high seas off Sri Lanka last weekend. 

According to the Navy, 605 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ice) and 579 kg of the substance ketamine was on board the ‘dhow’, which was intercepted 463 nautical miles (835km) off the southern coast of Sri Lanka last Saturday. Nine Pakistani nationals were arrested on board the flag-less vessel and have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigations. 

This is the first time a significant quantity of the drug ketamine has been taken into custody in Sri Lanka, the Navy said. According to the United State Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), ketamine is an anaesthetic with hallucinogenic effects, and is sometimes used to facilitate sexual assault crimes. In its legal form, the drug is administered as a short-acting anaesthetic for use in humans and animals. Ketamine, along with the other “club drugs”, has become popular among teens and young adults at dance clubs and parties worldwide. The Navy had initially suspected the substance to be cocaine; however, testing conducted on reaching port identified the substance as ketamine. 

The Navy has launched a deep sea operation based on information received by Naval Intelligence stationing Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and other Naval craft strategically to mount surveillance in the high seas in anticipation of intercepting the drug traffickers. The two-week long operation saw multiple Naval vessels engaged in long range patrols in the southern seas. 

“The Sri Lanka Navy did not ease up in our primary duty of protecting the Sri Lankan waters and coast while fully supporting the Government’s efforts to counter the spread of the COVID-19 virus during this time of national crisis,” said Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva. De Silva addressed the press at the Dikowita fisheries harbour, where the Navy brought to port two similar state-less vessels which were intercepted in February this year.

According to the Navy Commander, SLN Sayura was able to intercept the suspect vessel based on satellite imagery provided by an international law enforcement partner. 

“We can now track even small vessels in the Indian Ocean with this technology,” he said, adding that prior to receiving the satellite imagery, the Sayura stopped, boarded and searched 126 Sri Lankan multi-day fishing boats that were in the area.

The suspect vessel had ignored warnings issued and attempted to flee from the area, forcing the Sayura to deploy her two smaller craft and board the dhow on the high seas. The dhow was then towed to Dikowita port for inspection. The Navy suspects the presence of a large quantity of ‘ice’ and ketamine may indicate that the shipment was for broader distribution in the South East Asia and Pacific region. 

He urged the fisher community not to get involved in drug trafficking and warned them that there will be no escape from the law. Vice Admiral De Silva thanked the crew of SLN Sayura, and all Naval personnel involved for their effort. He also thanked regional and international partners who share intelligence and provide technical assistance that enables such operations to be successful.

The Navy has seized 2.3 tons of Kerala cannabis, 438 kg of heroin and 739 kg of crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) up to date in 2020.

- Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera