Massive cannabis stock seized

Sandasen MARASINGHE AND Yasaratne GAMAGE

A stock of 56 Kg of dried cannabis worth over Rs three million and 52,000 plants grown in over 11 acres of land at several locations were seized by STF on Sunday. The STF carried out search operations and raids in the Lunugamwehera forest reserve in Kataragama and Uva Kudaoya in Suriyawewa and discovered 11 acres of cannabis plantations.

The STF also seized nearly Kg 12 of dried cannabis and arrested three persons, including a woman in Ja Ela and Keselwatte. A three wheeler that the suspects used to transport cannabis was also seized. The suspects and the samples of arrested goods were handed over to relevant police stations for further investigations.

Acting on a tip off received by wild life officers, the STF in Puttalam arrested two persons with 25 kg of wild boar and venison in Vanathawilluwa on Tuesday. The suspects had poached wild pigs and deer and were engaged in the trade for a long time , investigations revealed. The suspects were handed over to the Eluwankulama wild life office for further action.