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Customs seize counterfeit fags worth Rs.355mn

18 November 2015 05:20 am - 2     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The largest single detection of illicit cigarette consignment in history estimated to be over Rs.355 million in value was seized by the Customs Post Clearance and Audit Division on January 9, 2015, the day following the Presidential Elections.

The contraband had arrived in the country from Dubai on January 9, the day following the Presidential Elections was held.
The consignment had arrived in a 40-foot container declared as chest freezers.

The container was opened and displayed to the media at the Customs unit at Grayline II Container Terminal at Grandpass this morning.

Customs Spokesman Director Leslie Gamini said that it was the first time in the history that an illicit cigarette consignment packed in a 40-foot container was detected by the Customs.

Previously two 20-foot containers had been seized in single detection few years ago, which held the record of the highest number of sticks, he said.

Customs sleuths found 10, 770, 000 (Ten million seven hundred and seventy thousand) sticks of cigarettes belonging to a brand called Royal, manufactured in Dubai. The sticks were neatly packed in 53, 850 cartons.

The street value of the consignment had been estimated at Rs. 355, 410, 000 (Three hundred and fifty five million four hundred and ten thousand) and the evaded payment of taxes to the government was at Rs.300 million, he said.

The consignment had been sent to a person addressed in Nugegoda which was later found to be false. A private shipping agent had couriered the container and out of suspicion the Customs PCAD officials held it until a consignee would turn up.

A senior Customs official disclosed that it is highly suspicious that the cigarette consignment arrived on the day following the Presidential Election and had not been claimed by any for almost 10 months may indicate the incapability of certain influential persons with the unexpected transfer of power.

Further investigations are being carried out by Customs Superintendent Prabath Rathnayake, Deputy Superintendents Samantha Rajapakse, Chula Wijesundera, N S Kumanayake, Anil Jayakody, Hasantha Guruge, Nishantha Jayasinghe and W L C Thilakasiri on the instructions of Deputy Director of Customs PCAD C Perinpanayagam and Kithsiri Fernando.

The contraband will be confiscated and destroyed in due course, the sources said. (Chaturanga Pradeep and Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana)

Video by Chaturanga Pradeep





 Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

 

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  Comments - 2

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Leo Wednesday, 18 November 2015 02:59 PM

    How many packs will the customs officials pocket via DM Android App

    Isuru aparna Thursday, 19 November 2015 11:42 AM

    This is how the customs carries out its social protection tasks to the nation by not only adding duties, but also protecting the country from not letting harmful imports of illegal drugs and cigarettes to enter our markets where teenagers are becoming main users of those. Great work guys!


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