A fishing vessel carrying a large shipment of drugs worth five billion Indian rupees (USD 56 million), which was collected from Maldivian waters, was seized yesterday off the western coast of Sri Lanka.

According to a report by the Sri Lankan newspaper "News First," the vessel seized is named "Sea Devi."

The investigation has has revealed that the vessel entered Maldivian waters and collected the drug shipment, and the newspaper reported that the vessel did not engage in any fishing activities during its journey.

Citing Sri Lankan police, the newspaper reported that the vessel was given to the owner's brother for fishing purposes. However, when questioned, he claimed he was unaware of the attempt to import drugs, according to the report.

The vessel was found with 269 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (meth) and 85 kilograms of heroin, according to Sri Lankan police.

Six people have been arrested along with the seized drugs, and the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court has ordered them to be detained until the 8th of this month. The vessel owner has also been arrested and detained for seven days.

Sri Lankan police suspect that the mastermind behind the drug shipment is a person named "Dinuka" who lives in Dubai.

Police said they are continuing to question the vessel owner, who has been detained for a seven-day period in connection with the case.