SL born British national nabbed by Customs with gold jewellery worth Rs.63Mn

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

A Sri Lankan-born UK national from Dubai, who tried to smuggle gold jewellery worth over Rs.63 million hidden under his clothes,  was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Customs Narcotic Control Unit officials stationed at the BIA Arrival Terminal on suspicion searched the passenger who had tried to leave the airport through the green channel, when the gold was found.

Customs Spokesperson Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda said the passenger had concealed two kilos and 145 grams of gold jewellery within his clothes below the waist.

He had arrived in the country on FlyDubai flight FZ 569 on Sunday morning, and the preliminary investigations revealed that he had travelled to and fro between Dubai and Sri Lanka in the recent past.

According to Customs, gold is a restricted item for importation sans a permit, and an inquiry is underway with the seized goods.