Four persons were arrested with two conch shells (Valampuri) said to be worth over Rs. 60 million in their possession at Kodagoda in the Imaduwa Police yesterday.
The Kalutara Police Special Task Force Intelligence Unit said the suspects were handed over to the Imaduwa Police for further investigations.
Four mobile phones which had been in their possession were taken into police custody.
Two officials of the Police STF Intelligence had been used as decoys to make the arrest.
The suspects are residents of Norwood in Hatton, Nepola in Nuwara-Eliya, Mahagama in Bulathsinhala and Denipitiya in Weligama areas and among them are a teacher and a retired Air Force officer who were said to be the owners of these conch shells.
Police decoys had made an agreement with the suspects to execute the transaction of the two shells at Imaduwa where they were arrested when they came to sell the items. Imaduwa police will take legal action against the suspects under the Marine Pollution Prevention Act. CI Dayarathna, SI Anjana and Police constables Attanayake and Jayarathna of Kalutara Police STF Intelligence unit had made the arrest.
