The Sri Lanka Navy says it intercepted a multiday fishing trawler off Baththalangunduwa in Kalpitiya during an operation on September 20 and apprehended five suspects.
Naval personnel aboard SLNS Edithara II, attached to the Western Naval Command, intercepted and inspected the suspicious trawler in the Baththalangunduwa sea area.
The Navy said personnel recovered nine sacks suspected to contain cardamom and ginger being smuggled into Sri Lanka.
Five suspects aged between 20 and 59 were apprehended.
The Navy identified them as residents of Gandara.
The suspects, trawler and seized consignment were being brought ashore for further legal proceedings.
Important qualification
The Navy itself describes the contents as suspected cardamom and ginger.
Do not present the exact contents, value or a completed Customs offence as finally established unless subsequent official testing or Customs proceedings confirm them.