The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a large consignment of smuggled pharmaceutical products and Kendu leaves during a coastal security operation off Alankuda in Puttalam.According to the Navy, personnel attached to Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Vijaya under the Northwestern Naval Command intercepted a suspicious dinghy near the Alankuda beach area on Friday (11).

A search of the vessel led to the recovery of more than 177 kilograms of Kendu leaves along with a large quantity of pharmaceutical products believed to have been smuggled into the country.The haul included approximately 354,000 medicinal tablets, 7,673 packs of medicinal ointments and 118 bottles of liquid medicine.The Navy said it is suspected that the smugglers abandoned the dinghy and its cargo after being unable to bring the contraband ashore due to heightened naval surveillance and continuous security operations in the area.The seized Kendu leaves, pharmaceutical products and the dinghy have been handed over to the Kalpitiya Police for further investigations and legal action.