COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan authorities revealed that the massive haul of 300 kg of heroin seized on the high seas south of the coastal city of Hambantota was sent to Sri Lanka by a wanted criminal identified as 'Ran Malli', a close associate of underworld leader Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata.Sri Lanka Police said 'Ran Malli' and 'Harak Kata' are currently in hiding in Dubai.A special operation conducted by the Navy in coordination with the Police Special Task Force and Police Narcotic Bureau off the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse Hambantota led to the interception of a local fishing trawler carrying over 331kg of heroin (Including packages), worth around Rs.
6622 – 13244 million in gross street value and apprehension of 06 suspects on 05th November 2022. The drug-carrying trawler and the suspects were brought to Galle Harbour on Monday morning (07th November).
Meanwhile, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne also arrived at Galle Harbour to inspect the consignment.The special operation was mounted by the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Wickrama II, based on a coordinated intelligence operation of the Navy Intelligence, Police Special Task Force and Police Narcotic Bureau.
Accordingly, the Navy’s sea unit deployed in this special mission intercepted a suspicious local fishing trawler in southern waters about 10 nautical miles (about 18km) off the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse.A subsequent search led to the recovery of 300 packages of the substance, which weighed about 331kg and 110g, stuffed in 12 sacks which had been concealed in the trawler.