The Sri Lanka Navy seized more than 2,000 kg of smuggled Kendu leaves during a search operation off Chilaw on April 28, 2026, and intercepted an Indian dhow and three local dinghies allegedly involved in the smuggling attempt.
The Navy said the operation was carried out after a naval vessel on patrol observed the Indian dhow attempting to transfer suspicious cargo to the three local dinghies in the Chilaw sea area.
During the inspection, naval personnel recovered 54 sacks containing over 2,000 kg of Kendu leaves believed to have been smuggled into the country.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects, including four Indian nationals aboard the dhow and six Sri Lankan suspects on the dinghies.
The Sri Lankan suspects, aged between 21 and 42, are residents of Kalpitiya, while the Indian nationals are between 18 and 50 years old.
The seized consignment, along with the suspects and the vessels, was handed over to the Colombo Port Customs Preventive Office for further legal action. (Newswire)