The Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended 55 individuals in connection with illegal fishing activities and suspected narcotics smuggling during operations conducted in several coastal areas this month.
According to the Navy, 50 individuals were apprehended for engaging in illegal fishing during operations conducted between October 2 and 17, 2026.
The operations also resulted in the seizure of 33 dinghies, one canoe and unauthorised fishing equipment.
The operations were carried out by the Eastern, Northern and Northwestern Naval Commands in several coastal areas of Trincomalee, Jaffna and Puttalam.
The arrested individuals, seized fishing vessels and unauthorised fishing equipment were handed over to officials of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for further legal action.
Meanwhile, five suspects were apprehended along with a multi-day fishing trawler during a separate naval operation conducted in the southern seas on October 13, on suspicion of narcotics smuggling.
The Navy stated that the five suspects and the seized trawler were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations and legal action. (Newswire)
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