Skipper and fisherman arrested for drug trafficking

Two individuals, including a multi-day fishing trawler skipper and a fisherman from Kudawella, were taken into custody by Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Unit officers last night (03) on suspicion of smuggling narcotics via sea routes.

The suspects are a 36-year-old skipper and a 32-year-old fisherman, both residents of the Morakatiara area. During the raid, police seized 103.65 grams of "Ice" (crystal methamphetamine), 4.2 million rupees in cash, and two motorcycles from the skipper’s possession. The second suspect was found with 5.3 grams of the same substance and a smartphone.

Investigations reveal that the pair, along with four other crew members, departed from the Kudawella fisheries harbour on October 12 and returned on December 11. Authorities suspect that during this period, they transported narcotics from international waters and transferred them to another vessel.

The two suspects are currently held at the Tangalle Headquarters Police for further questioning, while operations are underway to arrest the remaining four crew members who were aboard the trawler. The raid was conducted by a team led by Chief Inspector Wasantha Kumara under the supervision of senior divisional police officials.