Sri Lankan Burst 800 kg of Heroin: In a groundbreaking operation, the Sri Lankan Navy has carried out its largest-ever drug bust, seizing over 800 kilograms of heroin and crystal methamphetamine from a fishing trawler in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, which was operating off the country’s west coast, was intercepted on Saturday morning in a coordinated mission involving naval forces and intelligence units.
Authorities have confirmed that this seizure marks a historic milestone in Sri Lanka’s war on narcotics, as the country grapples with its increasing reputation as a regional drug trafficking hub.
Record-setting Sri Lankan burst 800 kg of heroin and meth
“This is the largest amount of drugs caught by the Sri Lankan navy from a multi-day Sri Lankan fishing trawler,” said Sri Lanka Navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath in a statement to Arab News. The operation, which was launched based on intelligence, led to the arrest of seven suspects who were aboard the trawler at the time of the seizure.
The vessel was escorted to Dikkowita Harbor, located roughly 10 kilometers north of Colombo, where the Police Narcotic Bureau conducted a thorough inspection.
“They scaled them and found ICE (crystal meth), approximately more than 671 kilograms, and heroin approximately more than 191 kilograms,” Cmdr. Sampath said, revealing the staggering quantity hidden in the vessel’s compartments.
Smuggling disguised as fishing: Sri Lankan burst 800 kg of heroin reveals tactics
The navy revealed that the drugs were “meticulously hidden” in various parts of the multi-day trawler, indicating a well-organized smuggling operation. These types of vessels, often used for legal fishing activities, have increasingly become a cover for criminal syndicates transporting illicit substances.
“Sri Lanka will not allow its maritime boundaries to be used as drug corridors,” the Navy said in a statement, stressing its collaboration with both local and international intelligence agencies. They added that the navy is tightening its grip on criminal networks operating in and around Sri Lankan waters.
Rising drug-related arrests point to growing crisis
This major bust comes amid a rising trend in drug-related arrests across the country. According to government data, over 162,000 individuals were arrested in 2023 on drug-related charges—double the figure from 2017, which stood at about 81,000. The increase highlights the growing scale of the problem.
Experts suggest that Sri Lanka’s geographic location—situated between key drug-producing and consuming countries—makes it a prime transshipment hub for narcotics moving between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
President Dissanayake pushes for crackdown after Sri Lankan burst 800 kg of heroin
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who assumed office in September 2024, has prioritized a national crackdown on organized crime and drug trafficking. In a recent meeting with police leadership from the Western Province, President Dissanayake emphasized the need for a more aggressive and coordinated national response to eliminate drug abuse and trafficking.
“We must take decisive action against those who seek to poison our communities,” he said. “Drug traffickers will not find safe haven in Sri Lanka.”
The president also urged increased cooperation between the navy, police, and international partners to bolster maritime surveillance and intelligence-sharing.
Investigations underway after Sri Lankan burst 800 kg of heroin
While the drugs have been seized and suspects apprehended, investigations are still ongoing. Authorities have yet to determine the origin and intended destination of the fishing trawler used in the smuggling attempt.
Given the size and sophistication of the operation, Sri Lankan officials suspect a broader international drug network may be involved. Forensic tests and digital evidence recovered from the boat are currently under analysis by the Narcotics Bureau.
Sources within law enforcement hinted that links to regional drug cartels operating out of South Asia or the Middle East are being explored, but no official confirmation has been made.
Sri Lankan burst 800 kg of heroin strengthens global cooperation
This massive seizure is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s international image as a serious player in the global fight against drug trafficking. The navy emphasized that the bust was made possible through timely coordination with intelligence agencies and the effective deployment of its maritime patrol resources.
Sri Lanka’s law enforcement agencies are now looking to expand surveillance along key coastal and deep-sea corridors as criminal networks evolve to avoid traditional monitoring routes.
