Customs seize Rs. 536m hashish, ICE in air cargo

Colombo, March 5 (Daily Mirror) - Lanka Customs officers attached to the Laksiri Seva (UPB) Warehouse have intercepted a major consignment of illegal narcotics concealed in food packages during the inspection of air cargo shipments from Malaysia.

Cuqtoms Media Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said the detection was made while examining ten gift parcels sent from Malaysia to four Sri Lankan recipients residing in Colombo 10, 14 and 15.

During the inspection carried out yesterday (4), officers discovered approximately 51.07 kilograms of hashish with an estimated street value of Rs. 510.7 million and 1.07 kilograms of ICE (crystal methamphetamine) valued at around Rs. 25.4 million. The total estimated value of the seized narcotics is about Rs. 536.1 million.

The haul was detected due to the vigilance of Customs officers stationed at the Laksiri Seva UPB Warehouse.

Following preliminary investigations, the seized narcotics along with case productions were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations and legal action.

Spokesman said the detection highlights the continued vigilance and operational efficiency of officers in preventing transnational narcotics trafficking.