Chinese couple arrested with cigarettes worth Rs. 2.2 mn

13 April 2018 12:04 pm

Two Chinese nationals were arrested while attempting to smuggle in cigarettes valued at Rs. 2.2 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night, the Customs Department said.

Customs Spokesman Deputy Director Sunil Jayaratne said the two suspects were apprehended with illegally brought 44,600 sticks (233 cartons) of cigarettes valued at Rs. 2,230,000.

He said the two suspects, a 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, were released on penalties of Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000.

The haul had been detected by U.G.S. Udayanga, N.K. Silva, Jeevantha Ahangama and Assistant Superintendent of Customs H.N. Nilanka.