Further details have emerged regarding the fishing trawler seized with narcotics during a Sri Lanka Navy surveillance operation in deep seas, based on foreign intelligence.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the consignment of drugs had been transferred to the vessel from an Iranian ship. The trawler, named ‘Ave Maria’, had departed from the Wellemanakanda Fisheries Harbour on February 4.
Six fishermen arrested in connection with the incident had reportedly set out on the voyage with prior knowledge of transporting narcotics. Investigations have also uncovered that traffickers had promised Rs. 10 million to each individual, while an advance of Rs. 50,000 had been paid before departure.
Security forces suspect that the owner of the trawler was aware of the operation and is currently on the run. It was further revealed that an individual named Dissanayake had coordinated the fishermen from land, under the direction of a person identified only as ‘Aiya’.
During the operation, officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau recovered more than 300 kilograms of heroin concealed in the front tank of the vessel.
Initial findings confirmed 298 packages containing approximately 323 kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value exceeding Rs. 6,200 million. (NewsWire)