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Navy foils rare animal smuggling bid in deep seas
The Sri Lanka Navy uncovered a sophisticated smuggling ring transporting rare animals via sea routes on July 7.
During a routine patrol in the southern sea, sailors aboard a Sri Lankan Coast Guard vessel inspected a suspicious multi-day fishing trawler.
They discovered various foreign birds and reptiles, including rare species, kept in cages. Five fishermen, arrested and identified as residents of Negombo and Kochchikade, were brought to Galle harbour and handed over to the Hikkaduwa Wildlife Conservation Department.
Among the seized animals were 13 rare parrots, a monitor lizard, a large iguana, and three other parrots.
Initial investigations revealed that the vessel departed from Negombo under the guise of fishing, loading the animals from another vessel in deep sea for smuggling to another country.
The arrested suspects, aged between 34 and 67, are under investigation as authorities work to uncover the smuggling network.
Navy spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya confirmed this is the first time such a smuggling operation has been detected on the high seas.
The Sri Lanka Navy has reiterated its commitment to continuous operations to prevent activities that harm the country’s ecosystem.
Source – navy.lk
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