Former airman detected with smuggled cigarettes at BIA

The Airport police Narcotic Bureau unit seized a consignment of foreign – made cigarettes, which have been illegally smuggled into the country today morning.

The detection of the cigarettes have been made when the suspect was trying to take the  cigarettes out of the Katunayake airport. According to the airport police the cigarettes they detected are worth about three million rupees. 

The police said that they have identified the suspect as a 37 year old former Air Force person residing in Pothanegama, Anuradhapura.

The detection had taken place while he was returning to Sri Lanka after he had traveled to Dubai for a job under a tourist visa and had failed to obtain the job. He had bought the consignment of cigarettes on return. 

The suspect had been arrested by police Narcotics Bureau unit while 
He was carrying two suitcases with 50 cigarette cartons each. The supect was released on police bail and is scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate's Court on December 18, 2024.

Police said that the suspect would be charged under illegally importing, smuggling and possessing the cigarette stock he brought into the country.

 By T.K.G Kapila