A coordinated raid by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police Special Task Force has resulted in the seizure of 7,000 foreign cigarettes and the arrest of a suspect in the Mullipuram area of Puttalam.

Security forces conducted a search operation in the Mullipuram area of Puttalam that led to the discovery of a large stash of illegally stored foreign cigarettes. The operation was executed jointly by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Special Task Force, drawing on intelligence received by SLNS Thambapanni, which operates under the Northwestern Naval Command.

Naval personnel from SLNS Vijaya worked alongside STF officers to search a residential property where the contraband cigarettes were being kept. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 7,000 foreign cigarettes from the location. A 49-year-old man from Norochcholai was arrested at the scene in connection with the illegal storage and suspected trafficking of the cigarettes.

Following the operation, both the suspect and the seized cigarettes were transferred to the Puttalam Police for further investigation and legal proceedings. The raid is part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat contraband trade in the island.