Sri Lanka seizes fishing vessel carrying drugs off Maldivian waters

Sri Lankan authorities have seized a fishing boat carrying more than 300 kilograms of drugs that had entered Maldivian waters.

Sri Lankan media reported that the vessel, named Seedevi, was intercepted during an investigation following the arrest of its owner in Galle City, Sri Lanka. While the boat was registered as a fishing vessel, police said it was not engaged in any legitimate fishing activities.

The owner told authorities that he had handed the vessel to a family member for fishing, claiming he was unaware it was being used to smuggle drugs.

More than 250 kilograms of crystal meth and 85 kilograms of heroin were recovered from the boat, with Sri Lankan police estimating the street value at approximately 5 billion Sri Lankan rupees.

Six people, including the vessel’s owner, have been arrested in connection with the case.

Authorities allege that the head of the drug network is a Dubai-based individual named Dinuka. The investigation forms part of Sri Lanka’s broader efforts to combat gang violence and track down fugitives abroad, with several suspects already arrested and deported back to Sri Lanka.