Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular patrols to prevent smuggling of drugs and other forms of illegal activities in island waters. Accordingly, SLNS Mihikatha patrolling in seas south of Mannar recovered this stock of narcotics after retrieving several suspicious packages adrift in the sea area. These 50 packages in 02 sacks, recovered during the patrol, contained about 197kg and 60g (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis.

It is believed that the smugglers had jettisoned the stock of Kerala cannabis into the sea and fled, being unable to bring it ashore as a result of naval presence. Meanwhile, the gross street value of the seized Kerala cannabis is believed to be over Rs. 59 million.

The stock of Kerala cannabis held in this patrol will be set on fire and destroyed under the supervision of Naval Provost branch.