On June 27, 2022, in the early morning hours off Negombo, the Navy conducted a search operation that resulted in the capture of a local multiday fishing trawler carrying 47 people who were believed to be attempting an illegal maritime migration to Australia.
The SLNS Nandimithra was able to stop the suspicious local multiday fishing trawler carrying this group of persons during the search operation conducted in the waters off Negombo on June 27.
It was believed that they were attempting to leave the island for Australia against the law. 34 males, including 5 people implicated in the racket, 06 females, and 7 children were among the people who were captured.
The Navy also had the fishing boat utilized for this illicit activity in custody along with the accused.
Residents of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Wennappuwa, Nattandiya, Chilaw, and Batticaloa, ranging in age from one to fifty, are the suspects being held in this operation.
The Colombo Harbour Police will receive them for further legal actions.
The Navy cautions the general public against falling victim to smugglers who arrange such dangerous journeys in order to make quick cash in order to avoid facing legal consequences.
These people will be detained and deported right away because Australia’s borders are closed to illegal maritime migration, robbing them of the chance to legitimately immigrate to Australia in the future.
