Lanka navy arrests Indian for for alleged drug smuggling

Six people, including an Indian, have been arrested by Sri Lankan navy with over 2 kilograms of heroin in their possession, prompting the country to step up its surveillance on its northern seas to prevent smuggling mainly from South India.
The navy arrested five Sri Lankans and an Indian yesterday from the northern district of Mannar's Pallimunai with over 2 kilograms of heroin.
The navy's northern Commander Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva said today coastal operations have been stepped up due to increased detection of illegal transfers of mostly Kerala ganja (cannabis).
"We have detected 612 kg of Kerala Ganja coming to Sri Lanka from India during the last 18 months," de Silva said.

"The biggest threat is protecting our fishing resources; we have increased the number of surveillance craft," he said.
He said the navy had also arrested a boat last week carrying 5.5 kg of gold to India valued at 35 million Sri Lanka rupees.