Canadian student nabbed with Rs. 350 mn hashish at BIA

By T.K.G Kapila

Colombo, June 24 (Daily Mirror) - A Canadian nursing student was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, for allegedly attempting to smuggle hashish worth an estimated Rs. 350 million into Sri Lanka, Customs officials said.

The suspect, an 18-year-old student following a nursing training course at a university in Toronto, Canada, was apprehended by officers of the Customs Narcotics Control Division on Monday night.

According to Customs, the young woman had arrived at Katunayake from Toronto via Dubai on Emirates flight EK-648.

Investigations revealed that she had allegedly agreed to transport the narcotics in return for a payment of 12,500 Canadian dollars, which she was told could be used to support her studies and travel expenses.

Customs officials said the suspect had attempted to leave the airport through the "Green Channel" at the arrival terminal, which is designated for passengers with nothing to declare. She had also made use of the airport's special "Meet and Greet" facility, under which her luggage was collected from the baggage claim area and she was escorted through the terminal.

A search of two suitcases in her possession led to the discovery of 35.265 kilograms of hashish concealed in 140 packets, Customs said.

The suspect and the seized narcotics were handed over to the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigations.

She is due to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate's Court today (24).