The suspects, aged 31, 36, and 40, are Chinese businessmen, according to Customs officials.
The arrests were made after the three men attempted to leave the airport through the “Nothing to Declare” green channel without declaring the cigarette stock. Customs officers intercepted them during inspection procedures.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly purchased the cigarettes in China and traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before arriving in Sri Lanka at 1:05 a.m. today on Batik Air flight OD-297 bound for Katunayake.
Customs officers discovered 202 cartons containing approximately 40,000 cigarettes concealed inside six travel bags carried by the suspects.
Officials stated that the estimated value of the seized cigarette consignment is around Rs. 6.06 million.
The suspects remain in the custody of Airport Customs officials while further investigations are underway.
