A haul of 2,223kg of smuggled Tendu leaves was seized during a search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the beach area of Ilanthadiya in Puttalam yesterday (12).

The Navy said it conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal and sea areas, with a view to prevent the influx of illegal and smuggled items into the country.

Accordingly, SLNS Thambapanni in the Northwestern Naval Command mounted this search operation at Ilanthadiya Beach where the naval personnel recovered 70 packages of smuggled Tendu leaves.
Moreover, the Navy also took into custody a motorcycle at the beach, which is suspected to be used to distribute smuggled Tendu leaves.

Meanwhile, the motorcycle was handed over to the Norochcholai Police and the consignment of Tendu leaves has been kept in the naval custody, until it is produced to authorities for further legal action.