PNB and Navy net record Rs. 6 b narcotic haul in the high seas

Tuesday, 3 March 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) netted a record narcotic haul at sea after a month-long operation.

The high seas catch is estimated to have a street value of more than Rs. 6 billion and includes 400 kg of heroin and 100 kg of a substance suspected to be the synthetic drug ‘ICE’, the Navy said in a press release. It is the biggest drug haul intercepted in the high seas by the SLN.

According to the Navy, two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), the SLNS Samudura and SLNS Sindurala acting on intelligence provided the PNB intercepted two flag less vessels (vessels without a flag state registration) in the high seas off Sri Lanka in a joint operation which saw the OPV’s at sea for close to a month.

The Navy had initially intercepted two Sri Lankan fishing vessels in the southern seas with 75 kg of heroin and 66 kg of a substance suspected to be ‘ICE’. Four Sri Lankans were arrested on board. The resulting investigation led the Navy to search for the first flag less vessels and once intercepted it led to a second vessel which was intercepted four days after. The Navy vessels had sailed over 600 Nautical Miles (1,111 km) off the Sri Lankan shore to intercept the two large flag less vessels close to the equator. The intelligence generated by the PNB detectives, undercover operatives and technical intelligence derived from surveillance led to the authorities being able to intercept the narco shipments.

Investigations are still underway as the seized vessels are to be escorted to harbour for inspection, the Navy Media Unit said.

Recently, the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC), identified a relatively new route used to smuggle Afghani heroin to Sri Lanka and her littorals. The route has been dubbed the ‘Southern route’ by the UN agency.