Customs foil major cannabis smuggling attempt at BIA

Colombo, March 5 (Daily Mirror) - Officers attached to the Narcotics Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs intercepted two Indian nationals attempting to smuggle a large consignment of narcotics into the country via Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yeaterday.

The suspects, aged 26 and 37, had arrived from Thailand on Flight FD 142 on March 3. During an inspection carried out at around 1:59 a.m., customs officers discovered significant quantities of narcotic substances concealed in their hand luggage.

One passenger was found in possession of 1,525 grams of Kush cannabis with an estimated street value of Rs. 15.25 million, along with 182 grams of hashish valued at approximately Rs. 1.82 million. The second passenger was detected carrying 1,513 grams of Kush cannabis with an estimated street value of Rs. 15.13 million.

Following preliminary investigations by Sri Lanka Customs, the suspects, along with the seized narcotics and other case materials, were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations and legal action.

Customs authorities said that the interception highlights the continued vigilance and operational efficiency of officers in safeguarding the country’s borders against transnational narcotics trafficking.