Three arrested at BIA with Rs. 178.5 million worth of illegal cigarettes

By T.K.G. Kapila

Katunayaka, November 26 (Daily Mirror) - Airport Police have arrested three passengers attempting to smuggle a large consignment of foreign-made cigarettes valued at Rs. 178.50 million through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night (25).

The suspects, identified as businessmen from Aluthgama, Yatiyanthota and Mawanella, had arrived from Dubai at 1:00 a.m. aboard Emirates flight EK-648. Police officers intercepted the trio as they attempted to exit the airport with 595 cartons containing 119,000 “Platinum” brand cigarettes concealed in their luggage.

The operation and subsequent investigations were conducted by Sub-Inspector Chandana and Police Constable 77508 Weerakoon, under the directives of Katunayake Airport Police OIC, Chief Inspector Elmo Malcolm Pate.

The suspects were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court later on November 25. The court ordered the confiscation of the cigarette consignment and imposed fines of Rs. 300,000 and Rs. 900,000 on each of the three individuals.