Sri Lankan Passenger nabbed at BIA Over Rs. 4.8 million cigarette smuggling attempt

By T.K.G. Kapila

Colombo, May 13 (Daily Mirror) - A Sri Lankan passenger was arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, after allegedly attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-made cigarettes valued at around Rs. 4.8 million through the Green Channel.

The suspect, a 31-year-old labourer from Dematagoda, Colombo, had arrived in the country from Sharjah on Air Arabia flight G9-587 at approximately 2.50 a.m. on this morning (13).

Customs officials said the man was found carrying three pieces of luggage containing foreign-made cigarettes of the “Manchester” and “Platinum” brands. A total of 160 cartons, amounting to 32,000 cigarettes, were seized during the inspection.

He was arrested on the spot by officers attached to the Customs Narcotics Control Division, and further investigations are currently underway.