Video: Customs seize close to 100 kg of heroin

30 Aug 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) officials today seized the largest-ever stock of heroin in Sri Lanka with the detection of more than 100 kilogrammes worth some one billion rupees imported from Pakistan.

The stock of heroin was found inside a 40-foot container packed in tins describing the contents as grease.

The market value for one kilogramme of heroin is between Rs.5.5 million and Rs.6.5 million.

RTF Chief and Customs Director Mali Piyasena said the container had arrived from Karachi on July 3 and by that time the Customs had been informed about the suspicious container.

“So we waited till the importers came to clear it. We arrested them on Thursday evening when they came to pay Customs duty. They were handed over to the police,” he said. “We are still weighting the heroin and we know for a fact that it is the largest ever stock of heroin stock detected in Sri Lanka.”

Four suspects including a Pakistani and the local importer were taken into custody by the Police Western Province Intelligence Bureau.(Supun Dias)