Customs seize 28 containers of plant waste from Ukraine

Customs has seized 28 containers of plant waste from Ukraine imported as whole coriander seeds by eight Pettah traders.

The containers have been brought down to Sri Lanka from Agronika Trade PLC from Ukraine. Eight containers arrived in the country on December 10 and the other 20 containers arrived on December 21. According to Customs, declared value to the Customs is approximately Rs. 75 million.

The first four containers were examined by the Central Environment Authority and recommended to be re-exported to the country of origin.

“Importation of plants or parts of plants is restricted under the Plant Protection Act. 35 of 1999. Importation of any kind waste is totally prohibited under the provisions of Customs Ordinance as well as the International Basel Convention for which Sri Lanka is a party to,” a Customs senior official said.

He said these consignments were accompanied with Phytosanitary certificate from the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection of Ukraine which is the competent authority to certify the quality of the agricultural goods.

He said according to preliminary investigations, Customs is in the view that the importers have been cheated by the indenting agent responsible for this transaction.