Two containers of scrap copper which were to be shipped to Singapore were seized on January 22 by the prevented staff of Sri Lanka Customs, Customs Media Spokesman Leslie Gamini said.
Two suspects were taken into custody. The contents had been declared as plastic hangers. The total weight of the copper was 32140 Kilograms and it was valued at Rs. 22,498,000.
The exporter of the two containers is a reputed company that imports and re-exports garment accessories, Mr. Gamini said.
He said the government had issued a gazette notification banning the export of scrap copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, lead and special kinds of iron and steel with a view to helping local manufactures of metal products.
The two suspects had been produced before the Colombo Magistrate and remanded till February 12.
(Chaturanga Pradeep)
