A dinghy carrying three suspects who were smuggling about 11 kg and 300g of gold was intercepted on Saturday (4) as a result of a special Navy search operation in the area of the sea off Baththalangunduwa Island, Kalpitiya.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, a Special Boat Squadron squad attached to SLNS Vijaya was called into action after the North-western Naval Command provided information on a gold smuggling racket.

As a result, naval officers stopped the suspicious dinghy off Baththalangunduwa Island and recovered 300g and 11kg of gold that had been smuggled out of the country and concealed within the boat.

In connection with the racket, the operation also resulted in the arrest of three suspects who were identified as Kalpitiya residents.

As for the suspects and gold, the navy stated that they will be turned over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for further legal action.