In a special operation at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Customs officers arrested three Sri Lankan nationals early yesterday morning (26th) for attempting to smuggle goods worth Rs. 8.6 million into the country.
The arrests were made at the “Green Channel” of the arrivals terminal, which is reserved for passengers with no items to declare, according to Customs officials.
Those arrested include a 58-year-old businessman from Negombo and two 38-year-old businesswomen from Bandarawela.
Customs officers became suspicious after observing the two women moving through the Green Channel, with one seated in a wheelchair and being pushed by the other, apparently to give the impression that she was unwell.
The suspects arrived at Katunayake Airport at around 12.30 a.m. on Fits Air flight 8D-822 from Dubai and at about 1.00 a.m. on AirAsia flight FD-140 from Bangkok, Thailand.
A search of their luggage revealed 220 cartons of foreign-manufactured cigarettes containing 44,000 sticks, 19 bottles of foreign liquor, 430 packets of unlicensed collagen products used for cosmetic purposes that are not approved by the Ministry of Health or the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), along with a quantity of footwear and other merchandise.
The suspects are currently being detained by Airport Customs officials, and further investigations are underway.
