The Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau have taken into custody 321.45 kg of Kerala cannabis worth Rs. 96 million within a week, Police media spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa and Navy Capt. Indika de Silva said.
The Navy seized a consignment of Kerala cannabis weighing over 155 kg, during a search operation at Ilanthadiya, Norochcholai. The operation also led to the arrest of two suspects with two cars.
The Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal regions of the island to check smuggling attempts and other illegal activities on the sea routes. Officials of SLNS Vijaya of the Northwestern Naval Command made the arrest after searching a suspicious car parked near a house in Ilanthadiya.
The Kerala cannabis found in the vehicle were in 78 packages weighing about 155 kg. Its street value is said to be over Rs. 46 million.
The two suspects are residents of Ragama, aged 35 and 40. The accused along with the Kerala cannabis and vehicles were handed over to the Norochcholai Police.
Officers of the Mannar Unit of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) also arrested three people transporting 166 kilos of Kerala Cannabis in a cab. The cannabis is believed to have been brought to Mannar from India by sea. It is estimated to be worth over Rs. 50 million.
Police said the suspects are residents of Welioya. The cannabis in 56 bags was hidden in a secret compartment in the back of the cab.