Large haul of drugs recovered in the Kalpitiya Sea

07-Dec-2025

.

During a special joint operation conducted on Dec 5 by the Navy together with the Police Narcotics Bureau, drugs hidden inside three fertilizer sacks were recovered in the Kalpitiya seas, and five suspects were arrested.

Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo on Dec 6 regarding this operation, Deputy Inspector General of the Police Narcotics Bureau Ashoka Dharmasena stated:

Based on intelligence information received by the Navy, a fishing vessel was seized along with three packages of narcotics, although no suspects were initially present. Subsequent raids carried out by the Police Narcotics Bureau led to the arrest of five suspects.

A total of 10 kilograms of heroin (suspected) and 63 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (suspected) were seized from their possession. Under the national anti-drug initiative titled “The Entire Nation Together,” 35,855 suspects have been arrested to date.

Additionally, 268 kilograms of heroin have been seized, along with around 12,000 associated suspects arrested. A total of 994 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine has been seized, with 13,433 suspects arrested in connection with those cases. Out of those arrested, 944 suspects have been sent for rehabilitation.

From January until now, 1,754 kilograms of heroin, 3,535 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and 15,975 kilograms of cannabis have been seized. These quantities exceed the amounts seized in previous years. Due to the rise in drug smuggling attempts toward Sri Lanka, operations have been intensified, he said.