Navy seizes Rs. 1.5 bn drug haul off northern coast

The Sri Lankan Navy has seized a significant amount of narcotics, valued at approximately Rs. 1.5 billion, from the northern coast near Kusumanthurai in Mathagal, according to Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara. The operation, conducted off the coast, resulted in the apprehension of roughly 81 kilograms of illicit substances, comprising nearly 35 kilograms of heroin and about 45 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as 'Ice'. This seizure is described as the largest of its kind in the region in recent times.

Deputy Defence Minister Jayasekara emphasized this as part of a broader effort by the Navy to combat drug trafficking in the North. The total street value of narcotics seized by the Navy in 2025 is estimated at Rs. 75 billion, while the year-to-date total stands at around Rs. 56 billion. The latest operation was prompted by intelligence received by the Northern Naval Command, involving several teams, including personnel from the Sri Lanka Naval Ship Agbo and the Deployment Division.

Commander Vice Admiral Damien Fernando, speaking at a media briefing, explained that the Navy had conducted the operation in collaboration with the Police Narcotics Bureau in Jaffna for further analysis of the seized narcotics. The Navy is actively pursuing anti-narcotics operations through specialized teams and intends to intensify these efforts in the future.

Fernando highlighted that the Navy operates in a complex environment and plans to leverage technology more extensively in future operations. He noted that the Navy was already equipped with necessary technology to broaden the scope of its anti-narcotics operations.