Gold worth over Rs.43 mn seized

Gold biscuits worth Rs. 43 million, weighing 1.912 kg was confiscated by the Sri Lanka Customs sub prevention office in Kankesanthurai on Saturday (May 28), Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

The gold biscuits were taken into custody following a tip off and a team of sailors from the North Central Naval Headquarters in  Thammenna Base in Thalaimannar swung into action and seized the gold biscuits.

"The raid was conducted around1.2 nautical miles from the shore to the second sand dune off Talaimannar and three suspects were also apprehended," Silva said.

The estimated value of the gold biscuits was Rs. 43,208,000. Further investigations by the Customs Department revealed that the gold was planned to be smuggled to India.

The suspects were from Puthukkudiyiruppu and Pesalai areas. 

The investigations are headed by the Deputy Director General, Northern Province, and imposed a penalty of Rs.750,000 each, he said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)