A special search operation carried out by the Navy in Serakkuliya, Puttalam on Thursday led to the apprehension of two suspects with 239 kgs (wet weight) of sea cucumber and 921 kg (wet weight) of shark fins smuggled into the island. During this operation, the Navy also seized two lorries used for this illegal act.
The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas of the island to prevent a wide range of nefarious activities. The detection was made by SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command in the Serakkuliya area.
Naval personnel engaged in the search operation also spotted two lorries parked in the locality and recovered the items upon searching the vehicles. There were four sacks filled with 239 kgs (wet weight) of sea cucumber and 19 more sacks stuffed with 921 kgs (wet weight) of shark fins which were made ready to be transferred.
Incidentally, the smuggled consignments, two lorries and two suspects were taken into the naval custody.
The suspects held during the operation were identified as residents of Puttalam and Aluth Eluwankulama, aged 41 and 48.
The accused along with the consignment of sea cucumber and shark fins and the lorry will be handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for further legal action.
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