Matara, Oct 24 (Daily Mirror): The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized 561.705kg of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice), with an estimated street value of over Rs. 11.8 billion, during a joint operation in the coastal area of Naotunna, Thalalla, Matara, this morning (24), the Navy said.

The seized consignment comprised 321.941kg of heroin packed in 275 packages and 239.764kg of Ice packed in 200 packages.The narcotics were found in 21 sacks and travel bags recovered from a beach, along with a dinghy suspected of having been used to transport the consignment.The operation was launched following information received by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. A subsequent examination conducted with the assistance of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) confirmed the type and quantity of the seized narcotics.The seized drugs and the dinghy are to be handed over to the PNB for further legal action.

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, Deputy Minister of Defense Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.), Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, Southern Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral H.N.S. Perera, Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ruwan Rupasena and Director General Operations Rear Admiral Chaminda Karunasena were present to inspect the seized narcotics.Speaking at the site, Deputy Minister of Defense Aruna Jayasekara said the Navy continued to intensify operations in waters surrounding Sri Lanka while supporting the national program against drugs, ‘A Nation United’.He said joint operations conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard over the past year had resulted in the seizure of narcotics with an estimated street value of Rs. 97 billion.The Deputy Minister added that operations involving the Armed Forces, Police, PNB, Special Task Force and local and foreign intelligence agencies would continue to prevent narcotics from entering the country.He also urged the public to support law enforcement agencies by providing information through the dedicated hotlines 1818 or 1997. He acknowledged the media’s role in raising public awareness about substance abuse.The Navy said it would continue working with the Coast Guard, intelligence services and other law enforcement agencies as part of the national effort to combat drug trafficking.