Rs.38.6 Million Worth of Foreign Cigarettes Seized at Katunayake Airport

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Customs has taken into custody a stock of foreign-made cigarettes worth Rs. 38.6 million found abandoned at the baggage belt in the arrival terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.

A 27-year-old businessman based in Colombo was also arrested upon arrival in the country with a consignment of foreign cigarettes.

Customs officials stated that a group of accompanying passengers had fled the scene, leaving behind 14 pieces of luggage on the baggage belt.

A total of 16 pieces of luggage were later inspected, revealing 1,149 cartons containing 229,800 foreign cigarettes, along with 113 electronic cigarettes.