JAFFNA, Sri Lanka (News Cutter) – The Sri Lanka Navy has seized over 165kg of Kerala cannabis, during a special operation mounted in the beach and sea areas of Madagal, Jaffna.

The Northern Naval Command’s SLNS Agbo allegedly intercepted a shipment of Kerala cannabis during a foot patrol in the Madagal beach region.

As a result, naval troops found eight suspicious sacks abandoned on the shore. The sacks contained 71 packages of Kerala cannabis weighing approximately 150kg and 390g.

A suspicious sack was captured in the Madagal sea region as a result of another search operation the SLNS Agbo performed off Madagal.

The bag that was found contained seven packages totalling 15 kg and 5 g of Kerala cannabis.

The Navy stated that due to ongoing naval operations, it is possible that smugglers may have abandoned the shipment of Kerala cannabis without being able to bring them into the nation.

Cannabis seized in Kerala is estimated to have a gross street worth of over Rs. 54 million.

The stock of cannabis from Kerala has been held in naval custody until it is turned over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

The Navy stated that in order to stop criminal activity from occurring via maritime routes, the Navy’s Coastal Observation Points keep a constant watch on the island’s coastal regions.