News
Two detained containers released without checks
Amid continuing controversy over the detection of a container carrying about 260 kg of heroin, two containers were released on Friday without any inspection, Customs sources said yesterday. The two 20-foot containers declared as containing sanitaryware had been detained by the Customs for more than two weeks for investigations after they arrived from China. The containers were detained on a directive from the Custom’s Preventive Unit and the Revenue Task Force.
However on Friday, the Preventive Unit received instructions from senior officials to release the containers without inspection.
Accordingly, letters had been issued by the Preventive Unit to the Customs’ Logistics Manager to withdraw the detention order and make arrangements to transfer the containers to the Preventive Office for an examination. However, both containers were released without any examination. Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said the withdrawal of a detention order on a container is issued depending on the reliability of the importer. The consignee of this shipment is Colombo Logistics at Thimbirigasyaya.
The Sunday Times learns that two more containers imported by the same company are still detained at the Customs and that the orders for the release of the earlier two containers came after the wife of a Chairman of a Government authority intervened.