Video: Rs.100mn worth of red sandal seized by Customs

23 September 2015 02:07 pm - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Customs today seized 4.5 metric tons of red sandalwood valued at Rs.100 million in a 20-foot container destined to Malaysia, Customs Director General Leslie Gamini said today.

Gamini said the consignment had been declared as pillows, cushions and padding, and as to be exported to China through Malaysia.

“There were 532 logs weighing 4.5 metric tons valued at Rs. 100 mn,” he said.

“One log is estimated to be 200 years old. We suspect the logs could be been brought into Sri Lanka from Andhra Pradesh or Maharashtra. We are still investigating how these logs were smuggled into Sri Lanka,” he said.

The contraband was detected by the Customs Preventive Division.

He said the smugglers had violated Section 12 of Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235) read with Forest Ordinance no. 16 of 1907 and Sections 44, 57, 130 of Customs Ordinance.

Gamini said two suspects had been remanded for investigation purposes and another two suspects who were absconding were under an arrest warrant.

Investigations are carried out by Operations Branch of Customs Preventive Division with the instructions of Director K. A. D.R. Christy, Deputy Director P.J.B. Basnayake, and Superintendents

Ms. J. De Silva, W.M.S Menikdiwela, Deputy Superintendents C.L. Ambagahawatta, Assistant Superintendents J.T.N.D Jayalath, A. H. M. Kulasekera, A. Amarasinghe, G. Rengaraj and K.G. Malinda. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

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Comments - 4

Bala Wednesday, 23 September 2015 09:04 PM

Good job as politicos not not calling the shots at Customs. Only hope confistacted goods given to Timber Corp for proper sale by auction so govt gets full value as revenue.

karu Wednesday, 23 September 2015 09:13 PM

Heroin, Kerala Ganja, Red Sandalwood, the list looks long

Shiila Wednesday, 23 September 2015 11:04 PM

Great work!!!! I wonder what will happen if the government build a bridge between India and Sri Lanka . There will be so many smuggling !! God bless Sri Lanka !!!!

AshyD Friday, 25 September 2015 12:00 PM

Why do they have to resort to smuggling? Import it legally and re-export legally. There may not be any taxes applicable too.

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Video: Rs.100mn worth of red sandal seized by Customs

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