Couple thwarted from smuggling Rs.5.8 Mn worth illicit fags into country

Colombo, March 6 (Daily Mirror) - A man and a woman returning from the Middle East were nabbed by the police at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning for attempting to smuggle in illicit cigarettes worth over Rs.5.8 million.
 
The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officials who were present at the BIA Arrival Terminal searched the passengers on suspicion and found the contraband concealed in their baggage. 
 
According to sources the 23-year-old male, a worker in a condominium, had returned from Sharjah, whilst the 43-year-old woman identified to be a cigarette carrier came from Dubai. Both are residents of Nittambuwa. 
 
The authorities seized 39,200 sticks of cigarettes of foreign brands in 196 cartons.
 
The suspects have been released on police bail and ordered to appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The contraband has been taken into police custody.