Sri Lankan officials arrive for drug vessel investigation

A team of investigators from Sri Lanka's Police Narcotics Bureau and the Sri Lankan Navy have travelled to Maldives to assist in the investigation into a Sri Lankan vessel seized in Maldivian waters which was found to be carrying a large quantity of drugs, Sri Lankan media outlets have reported. 

Sri Lankan newspapers earlier reported that the boat was carrying around 300 kilograms of heroin and crystal meth (“ice”).

MNDF and Police have since confirmed that a large quantity of drugs had been found on the vessel, although the exact amount or type was not disclosed. 

Five persons aboard the vessel were detained and are in Police custody. 

According to MNDF, the vessel was detected during a surveillance operation conducted by the Air Corps using a military drone, after radar identified a foreign vessel operating illegally in Maldivian waters. The Coast Guard Special Boat Squadron then intercepted and took the vessel into custody.