_:The Sri Lanka Navy has intensified its anti-drug operations, resulting in the arrest of nearly 300 individuals and the seizure of 53 vessels. These operations have also led to the confiscation of narcotics valued at over 55 billion Sri Lankan rupees, equivalent to approximately 166.7 million U.S. dollars, as stated by a senior navy official.

According to NAMPA, Chaminda Karunasena, the acting director general of operations for the Sri Lanka Navy, reported that these operations spanned from January 1 to September 24, utilizing both land- and sea-based surveillance methods.

The range of narcotics seized by the Navy includes over 1,080 kilograms of heroin, more than 590 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 256 kilograms of cocaine, and over 862 kilograms of cannabis. A significant portion of the cannabis, approximately 800 kilograms, was confiscated in the Gurunagar lagoon area on September 24 alone.

In addition to these seizures, the Navy also confiscated over 4 million narcotic tablets, more than 1 kilogram of hashish, and over 55 metric tons of kendu leaves during the same period, as detailed by Karunasena.