Acting on specific inputs, Indian Navy intercepted a Sri Lankan fishing vessel DU Shashila in the high seas in the last week. The vessel along with its Sri Lankan occupants were brought to Mattancherry Wharf, Kochi and on 19/04/2021, the Chennai Unit of NCB took over the custody of both from Navy. During the search and seizure formalities taken thereafter, a total of 337 Kgs of Heroin was seized from the boat. The narcotic drugs was found in the ice compartment of the vessel, concealed in 340 packets with marking of CROWN symbol with words “KING 2021” on each packet. It is common for drug  trafficking organisations (DTO)  operating from  the  infamous  death  crescent region to mark their contraband. The investigation so far reveals that the seized Heroin was sourced from the Makran Coast in a different boat, which had then delivered the Heroin further to the Sri Lankan fishing boat DU Shashila in high seas. The Sri Lankan vessel was to take the contraband further to Indian, Maldivian and Sri Lankan destinations. The Makran Coast, which lies in the territories of Pakistan and Iran in the Baluchistan region, is considered to be a major port of origin for Afghan Heroin.

Based on the seizure of narcotic drug, incriminating evidences and their confessional statements under  NDPS Act, all  the  five Sri  Lankan sailors, namely M. Wimalasiri, M. Somasiri, H.A. Peiris, W. Pereira and A. Pereira, have been arrested for attempt to traffic substances under NDPS Act in Indian territorial waters.

The increased maritime trafficking of Heroin and other drugs sourced from the Afghanistan-Pakistan Region has been on the rise in the last few years. DTOs based in Sri Lanka and supplying drugs to multiple countries in the South Asian and South East Asian region including India smuggle large quantity of  drugs  this  way.  This  seizure  is  the  4th   occasion where  drug transporting Sri Lankan vessels being intercepted by the joint efforts of NCB, Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy in the last six months. The other three incidents are as follows::

Date	Narcotic Drugs/ Psychotropic Substances seized	No of Sri Lankan nationals arrested
25.03.2021	300.3 kg Heroin	06
08.03.2021	No    contraband    seized.    However, investigations reveal that  the  vessel carried 100kg of Hashish and 150kg Methamphetamine  which  the  crew jettisoned    on    seeing    the    Indian authorities approach them	06
26.11.2020	95.8kg Heroin 18kg Methamphetamine	06

 

NCB acknowledges the dedicated efforts of Sh. Amit Ghawate (Zonal Director,   NCB   Chennai),  Sh   Suresh  Kumar  (Supt)   and   other  officers associated with the case at NCB, Chennai Zonal Unit.

This is stated in a press release issued by (Amit Ghawate)IRS Zonal Director.

*******  

(Release ID: 1713450) Visitor Counter : 600