The Sri Lanka Coast Guard has seized an Indian vessel with over 5,300kg of dried turmeric in seas off Chilaw yesterday.
The Indian vessel was in Lankan waters during the seizure.
The Navy upon inspections recovered 5,372kg dried turmeric in 143 sacks, that was prepared to be smuggled into the island.
The five Indian nationals on board the vessel were apprehended. It is suspected that the smugglers planned to transfer the stock brought by from India to local vessels mid-sea, in order to smuggle them into the island.
The stock of dried turmeric has been placed in the custody of the Sri Lanka Navy after disinfection.
