Three Chinese arrested for smuggling corals

28 March 2013 04:48 am

Three Chinese nationals were taken into custody this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport for allegedly attempting to export 24 rare, live corals and two oysters, the Customs Biodiversity Unit said.

According to the Flora and Fauna act, corals and oysters are declared protected species and are banned from exporting.
 
At the time of the arrest the suspects were trying to flee to Shanghai, China.

The suspects had been working in the Mattala International Airport and had informed the custom officials that they collected corals from Hikkaduwa.

Investigations are being carried out by the custom officers under the guidance of Deputy Customs Director - Cultural and National Heritage Protection Unit, Samantha Gunasekara. (Deepa Adikari)