MADURAI: Police foiled a suspected attempt to smuggle 19.8kg of hashish — worth nearly Rs 50 lakh — to Sri Lanka and arrested a 34-year-old history-sheeter near S P Pattinam in Ramanathapuram district on Tuesday.The arrested man has been identified as Mano of Thiruvadanai, who was involved in two previous narcotics cases.Superintendent of police G Chandeesh said a special team led by S P Pattinam inspector David Ravirajan mounted surveillance near the Pasiyamman temple beach at Pasipattinam following a tip-off.Around 12.50pm, police intercepted Mano and recovered 2kg of hashish from his possession. Based on information obtained during questioning, the team searched his residence and seized another 17.8kg.“The contraband is worth Rs 2 lakh per kg, and it would value around Rs 10 lakh in Sri Lanka. It was intended to be smuggled to Sri Lanka”, the SP said.Police said Mano had two pending cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. One was registered at the S P Pattinam police station earlier this year in connection with the seizure of 15kg of ganja. He had been absconding in that case.A fresh case has been registered under the NDPS Act. Police are investigating the suspected smuggling network and intended destination of the consignment.