Sri Lanka Customs Urges Travelers Not to Carry Parcels or Baggage Belonging to Others Colombo: Sri Lanka Customs has issued a Special warning to airport passengers and the general public, urging them not to carry parcels or baggage belonging to other individuals while travelling by air or through any other means of transport.
The warning comes amid growing concerns that drug trafficking networks are exploiting unsuspecting travelers to smuggle illegal substances and other prohibited items across borders.
Speaking on the matter,
Sri Lanka Customs Media Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa said many people unknowingly become involved in serious criminal offences because they are unaware of the contents of the parcels or luggage they agree to transport.
He noted that even close relatives and trusted friends can be unknowingly used by drug traffickers as intermediaries.
As an example, he referred to a recent incident in which traffickers allegedly attempted to import a consignment of narcotics using the name of a 19-year-old youth.
Punchihewa further explained that smugglers often conceal narcotics in highly sophisticated ways, making them extremely difficult to detect even if travelers inspect the luggage themselves.
He also cautioned the public to be highly suspicious of offers of free airline tickets or sponsored overseas travel, stressing that such offers may conceal criminal intentions.
Sri Lanka Customs emphasized that drug trafficking carries severe penalties in many countries, including the death penalty in some jurisdictions. Authorities therefore strongly advise travelers never to agree to transport parcels, baggage, or other items that do not belong to them, regardless of who makes the request.
