COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said a 07-day detention order will be obtained against the suspects arrested for trafficking heroin in the seas off Weligama on Sunday (13).

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said it is clear that Weligama is turning to a drug distribution center in Sri Lanka.

11 suspects were arrested for drug trafficking and 06 of them are the crew of a fishing boat that left the island on the 11th of May 2021 and the other 03 suspects are the crew of another small boat.

The 02 remaining suspects were later arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau.

Investigations revealed the drugs were transferred to Sri Lankan boats in international waters by an Iranian boat and the main traffickers is identified to have controlled the operation from the United Arab Emirates.

A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the coastal area of Polwathumodara, Weligama in the dark hours on 12th June 2021, led to the seizure of over 219kg of heroin attempted to be smuggled into the island by sea.

This special anti-drug operation conducted by the Navy made way to the seizure of this stock of about 219.8kg of heroin which was attempted to be smuggled in by a dinghy through Polwathumodara area in Weligama and hide away, after having brought to seas off Weligama by a multi-day fishing trawler.

The consignment had been concealed in sacks and gas cylinders when the apprehension was made.

The multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Navy on suspicion of smuggling heroin had left the Kottegoda fisheries harbour, Matara on 11th May 2021 and it is suspected that the consignment of narcotics was taken to the trawler from foreign smugglers in international waters.

Meanwhile, the street value of the seized consignment of heroin is believed to be over Rs. 1758 million.

The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols in force to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The suspects held during this operation were residents of Weligama, Ahangama, Dikwella, Kottegoda, Ihalawatta, Mirissa, Polwathumodara and Piliyandala, from 26 to 43 years of age. Meanwhile, the Navy and Police Narcotic Bureau are conducting further investigation into the incident.

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