Businessmen Caught with Rs. 12.8M in Illegal Cigarettes

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three Sri Lankan businessmen have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, after they were found smuggling a massive stock of illegal foreign cigarettes valued at over Rs. 12.8 million.

The arrests took place in the early hours on Thursday (5) when the trio arrived in the country on a flight from the United Arab Emirates.

According to the Airport Narcotics Control Unit, the suspects had attempted to smuggle the contraband through six pieces of luggage, which contained 424 cartons holding a staggering 84,800 foreign-made cigarettes. 

The arrested suspects are 61, 42, and 18 years old, and all three are residents of the Negombo and Kottaramulla areas. 

Following their initial questioning, the suspects were released on police bail, but authorities confirmed they are far from being cleared. 

They are scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on the 11th of February.