Sri Lanka Customs Seizes Largest-Ever Gold Smuggling Attempt at BIA

Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda confirmed that the contraband, weighing over 35 kilograms and valued at approximately Rs. 1.10 billion, was intercepted at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

The suspect, a 32-year-old businessman from the Grandpass area in Colombo, had arrived on Emirates flight EK-650 from Dubai, which landed at 8:40 a.m. According to officials, the gold was ingeniously concealed in nine specially modified devices resembling car spare parts, as well as hidden within the suspect's suitcase.

Customs officials commended the vigilance and efficiency of the officers on duty, noting that this seizure marks a significant success in curbing illegal gold trafficking operations into the island.