A multi-day fishing vessel seized in the southern sea area has been found to contain nearly 123 kilos of drugs, says Deputy Minister of Defense Aruna Jayasekara.
The drug stock was discovered during an inspection conducted after the vessel was brought to the Dikowita port this morning (16). The drugs found on the vessel have been confirmed to be heroin, he said, and are worth nearly Rs. 3 billion.
The multi-day fishing vessel was raided by the Navy yesterday (15) in the sea area south of Devundara and it is said that there were 6 bags of the drugs on board.
5 suspects on the vessel were also taken into custody by the Navy. The individuals and the Narcotics Bureau were arrested after the vessel was brought to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour.
Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara revealed that the Navy has taken into custody another multi-day fishing vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the Beruwala waters and that the vessel is currently being brought ashore.