Sri Lanka Customs has taken measures to crack down on illicit drug smuggling as the rate of narcotics entering the country has risen rapidly, in line with the prevailing situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Smugglers and those engaged in illegal acts are attempting to take advantage of the situation due to COVID-19, and smuggle illicit narcotics from overseas, concealed among other items,” Sunil Jayaratne, the Deputy Director of Sri Lanka Customs revealed.
According to Jayaratne a special operation conducted jointly by Sri Lanka Police and the Police Narcotic Bureau, is currently underway to control and prevent the entry of narcotics to the country.
As a preventive measure, “All goods that are imported to Sri Lanka from countries that are identified as narcotic hubs will be inspected and cleared for narcotics, with the assistance of the K-9 unit of Sri Lanka Police and he Navy ,” said Sunil Jayaratne.
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva attributed the recent successful naval operations to combat organised drug trafficking to use of latest technology, international collaborations and SLN’s out-of the box operational planning including using naval intelligence.
He revealed about the assistance offered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to the SLN in the planning process, in which the SLN was provided access to vital satellite imagery.
“SLN Commander said his men would continue to conduct regular search operations and crackdowns on vessels carrying narcotics in international waters to destroy the well-organised narcotics smuggling.
“The SLN is using local and foreign intelligence agencies and satellite technology for surveillance.
The SLN is coordinating with the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) to put a strong pressure on local and foreign partners in the narcotic supply chain,” Vice Admiral De Silva said urging the local fishing community to engage in their livelihood without getting involved in drug smuggling.
SLN, , has seized 718kg of heroin, 797kg of crystal methamphetamine, 581kg of ketamine and 2,475kg of Kerala cannabis in the first quarter of 2020. The street value of these drug consignments, taken into custody, is estimated to be over Rs. 21 billion.
(LI)