A foreign passenger was arrested by Customs officers and officials of the Customs Narcotics Control Division at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today (13) after being caught attempting to smuggle a large consignment of cigarettes into the country.
The suspect, a 26-year-old Bangladeshi businessman, had arrived in Sri Lanka from Bangkok, Thailand, on Thai Airways flight TG-307 at around 12.30 a.m.
Customs officials said the passenger had attempted to pass through the Green Channel without declaring the goods upon arrival.
Upon inspection, officers discovered 155 cartons containing approximately 31,000 cigarettes manufactured in China, hidden inside two suitcases.
The total value of the seized consignment is estimated at Rs. 4,650,000.
Officials said the suspect has been taken into custody, and further investigations are currently underway by Sri Lanka Customs.
