Airport worker nabbed trying to smuggle in Rs.200Mn worth gold

• The suspect had received the bag of gold from a transit passenger

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

An office assistant attached to the Bandaranaike  International Airport (BIA) who tried to smuggle in gold gel and  jewellery worth over Rs.200 million was nabbed by Sri Lanka Customs  yesterday morning.    

Customs Narcotic Control Unit officials on suspicion  searched the worker attached to the Airport and Aviation Services  trying to leave the airport around 8.00 am yesterday carrying a backpack.    

The officials found gold gel, jewellery and gold plates  similar to credit cards weighing over nine kilograms and 200 grams, the  Customs sources said.   

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect had received the bag of gold from a transit passenger.   
The officials by using the CCTV cameras have found that an  Indian national among transit passengers handing over the bag to the  airport peon. The passenger had then left the country. 

 
Customs Spokesman Senior Director Seevali Arukgoda said the  Narcotic Control Unit officials have detained the suspect to record a  statement.   

He was to be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Unit at the BIA.