The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard have seized more than 475 kg of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice) during a joint operation at Naotunna Beach in Thalalla, Matara.
According to the Navy, the operation was conducted on Saturday (24) following intelligence received by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.
During the search, officers recovered 10 sacks and 11 travel bags containing suspected narcotics, along with a dinghy believed to have been used to transport the consignment.
Subsequent examinations conducted with the assistance of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) confirmed the presence of more than 200 kg of Ice and 275 kg of heroin.
The seized narcotics and dinghy were handed over to the PNB for further legal proceedings.
Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara and Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, accompanied by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando and other senior officials, inspected the seized consignment.
Speaking during the inspection, Deputy Minister Jayasekara said joint operations by the Navy and Coast Guard had resulted in the seizure of narcotics with an estimated street value of Rs. 97 billion over the past year.
He said operations involving the armed forces, police, Special Task Force and local and foreign intelligence agencies would continue to prevent narcotics from entering Sri Lanka.
The Deputy Minister also urged the public to provide information on drug trafficking through the hotlines 1818 or 1997. (Newswire)