The Navy recovered 1,377 Kg of dried turmeric which was being smuggled into the country during special operations conducted at the beach of Arippu in Mannar and the Kalpitiya Lagoon area on August 22, 23, 24.
The SLNS Therapuththa in the Northwestern Naval Command, detected two suspicious vessels speeding off to Sawaripuram in the Arippu seas, August 24 night.
A team of Special Boat Squadron was deployed for this special operation, covering the beach and sea areas of Arippu. During the operation, naval personnel recovered about 449 Kg of smuggled dried turmeric in 11 sacks dumped on the beach.
Meanwhile, SLNS Pussadewa in the North Central Naval Command also recovered 14 sacks filled with approx.
428Kg and 400g dried turmeric left behind on the Arippu beach in a dinghy, during an operation conducted on August 23. Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Boat Squadron attached to the Northwestern Naval Command detected about 500Kg of dried turmeric in 15 sacks that were loaded onto two abandoned dinghies on Ippantivu Island, during another operation on August 22.
It is believed that the smugglers had abandoned this contraband, being unable to transport them into the mainland, as a result of continuous naval operations.
The stock of dried turmeric and dinghies seized during these operations have been detained in naval custody.
by dailynews sri lanka
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