The Sri Lanka Navy has seized more than 3,800 kilograms of smuggled Kendu leaves in two separate operations off the western coast within two days, stepping up its crackdown on the illegal trade.
In the larger of the two interdictions, the Navy seized approximately 3,135 kilograms of Kendu leaves along with three dinghies during a search off Karukapane Beach in Chilaw on Thursday (24). Carried out by SLNS Thambapanni of the Northwestern Naval Command, the operation was launched on information about suspicious movement in the area. Naval personnel found the leaves packed in 80 sacks aboard three dinghies, which the Navy believes had been abandoned by smugglers amid stepped-up surveillance. The haul was handed over to the Chilaw Excise Department Office.
A day earlier, on Wednesday (23), sailors of SLNS Kelani of the Western Naval Command seized more than 735 kilograms of Kendu leaves and arrested two suspects in the Negombo Lagoon. Personnel intercepted a suspicious dinghy and recovered the consignment stuffed into 20 sacks. The two men and the dinghy were handed to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for further legal action.
Kendu leaves, used as wrappers for hand-rolled beedi cigarettes, are frequently smuggled into Sri Lanka in breach of import controls. The Navy said it would continue coastal patrols to curb the trafficking of the restricted commodity.
