Customs new single-value fine system on gold Drags proceedings of Rs.4.5Bn worth gold cases in courts

• Delays in legal proceedings result in  the late closure of cases

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Legal proceedings of gold smuggling attempts thwarted by  Sri Lanka Customs worth over Rs.4.5 billion are being dragged on in  courts for several months now, owing to a new regulation introduced by the  Customs to implement a single-value fine system, the Daily Mirror  learns. 

 
A circular issued by the Customs Chief since May last year  had advised the departmental officials to impose a fine up to the value  of the seized amount of gold in each case, making it practically an  impossible fine to pay.   
A senior Customs official told the Daily Mirror that previously, fines  for gold smuggling offenses were imposed within a range determined by  the gravity of the offense and the involvement of the passenger or  carrier.
Parliamentarian Ali Sabri Raheem who was apprehended with  gold worth Rs.70 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport  (BIA) was ordered to pay a fine of Rs.7 million, which was about 10 per cent of the seized gold.   

However, a French national who was apprehended with Rs.80  million worth gold was ordered a fine of Rs.70 million, which was almost  100 per cent of the value of the contraband.   

According to the new circular, the legal proceedings of over  30 gold smuggling cases undertaken by the Customs since last year are  being dragged in the courts, as the culprits have been unable to pay the  fines imposed almost up to 100 per cent of the value of the contraband  seized in each case.   

The delays in the legal proceedings have also resulted in  the late closure of these cases and also the payments of reward money to  the Customs officials and informants who were responsible for such  detections. 

 
Attempts made to contact the Customs Director General for his comment in this regard were not successful.