(NewsRadio); The Sri Lanka Navy has seized over 836kg of smuggled Kendu leaves during separate operations carried out off Paramunai and Kudawa beach area in Kalpitiya.
During an operation in Paramunai, Navy officers have recovered 17 sacks of Kendu leaves weighing about 550kg and 750g.
A dinghy was seized during the operation while two individuals allegedly involved in the racket were also apprehended.
Meanwhile, during an operation at the Kudawa beach, the Navy has seized about 286kg and 200g of smuggled Kendu leaves, in nine sacks.
Arrested individuals, aged 18 and 23 are residents of Anawasala in Kalpitiya.
The accused along with the total consignment of Kendu leaves held in both operations and the dinghy have been handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for onward legal action.
The Navy said it conducts patrols and search operations in coastal and sea areas surrounding the island, to ward off the influx of contraband through sea routes.
