MP Ali Sabri Raheem arrested at BIA with 3.3 Kgs of gold and phones

All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem has been arrested while trying to smuggle 3.3 KGs of gold and 74 Smart phones through the VIP lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport in the early hours of today, the Customs said.

He had arrived from Dubai and was checked on suspicion while trying to leave the airport.

During the examination of his baggage officials found gold biscuits and jewellery items with a total value of three kilo grams and 397 grams with an estimated value of Rs 74 million.

A further examination revealed that he had 91 Smart Phones with an estimated value of Rs 4.2 million.

Further investigations are currently underway.

The Customs confirmation about the detection was confirmed only in the evening though the detection was made in the early hours of the day.

Earlier in the day Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna called for an inquiry into reports that a fellow MP has been taken into custody by Customs for possession of a stock of gold at the BIA.

Referring to reports that All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem was arrested at the airport, MP Rajakaruna informed the House today that an inquiry should be conducted to ascertain the truth behind the reports. 

State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament that the gold has been confiscated and an inquiry is currently underway.