A married couple from Negombo was arrested by officers of the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau for attempting to smuggle a large consignment of foreign-made cigarettes through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, in the early hours of January 12.
The suspects were taken into custody shortly after arriving from Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways flight EY-394 at around 2.30 a.m. Police said the 39-year-old husband, who is engaged in the tourism business, and his 29-year-old wife were found carrying six suitcases containing about 100,000 foreign-made “Platinum” cigarettes packed in 500 cartons.
The consignment is estimated to be worth around Rs. 15 million.
The two suspects were later released on police bail and are scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on January 14. Investigations are continuing.
