The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced an extensive investigation into a massive racket involving the re-export of pepper, Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Daya Gamage stated today.
By Sandun Jayawardana
The Minister was responding to a point raised by Chief Opposition Whip Mahinda Amaraweera during today’s Committee Stage debate of the Budget regarding the scam involving the re-export of pepper after falsely labeling the stocks as having originated from Sri Lanka.
Mr Amaraweera pointed out that the scam had the potential to cause irreparable damage to Sri Lanka. The re-export of low quality pepper imported from other countries after falsely labeling them to have originated from Sri Lanka will hurt Sri Lanka’s pepper market, he pointed out.
Minister Gamage revealed that Customs documents related to 156 containers allegedly containing imported stocks of pepper that were to be used in the re-export scam have been forwarded to the CID to conduct an extensive probe.
He further said measures have been taken to notify India about pepper shipments in order to identify containers that were being illegally re-exported as part of the scam.
Cabinet has also taken a decision to prohibit the import of spices such as pepper and cinnamon, he further said.
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Customs have detected 228 mobile phones and tabs valued at over Rs 30 million left behind in the duty free shopping complex at the Banaranaike International Airport today, Customs officials said.
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