(UTV|COLOMBO) – Navy apprehended 18 persons for engaging in illegal practices at separate locations over the last couple of days, the Navy Media Unit said on Monday (13).
Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command apprehended 06 persons engaged in illegal fishing in the sea area of Foul Point on 06 August. Along with them, an unauthorised fishing net and a dinghy were also taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons along with their fishing gear were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Trincomalee, through Sri Lanka Coast Guard for onward action.
Based on information received by the Navy, a group of naval personnel attached to the North-Western Naval Command held two suspects plying in Palliyawasalkuda sea area by a dinghy. Upon interrogation, the suspects had revealed information about 417 kg of Kendu leaves (Bidi wrappers) in their possession. The apprehended suspects together with the stock of Kendu leaves were handed over to the Customs Office in Colombo for onward legal action.
Meanwhile, naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command held 9 persons engaged in illegal fishing practices in the seas off Elizabeth Island on 11 August. Along with the persons 4 kg of illegally caught fish, 2 unauthorised fishing nets and a dinghy were also taken into Naval custody. The apprehended persons and their fishing items were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Trincomalee for onward action.
On the same day, a group of naval personnel attached to the North western Naval Command in coordination with the Fisheries Inspector of Puttalam apprehended a suspect collecting conch shells by illegal means in the general area of Uchchankulam. Accordingly, 1,960 conch shells have been discovered during the search operation. The suspect and conch shells were handed over the Fisheries Inspector of Puttalam for further investigation.
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