Customs thwart multiple smuggling attempts of illegal cigarettes worth over Rs. 24 Mn

Sri Lanka Customs in a major enforcement operation has seized a large quantity of foreign cigarettes smuggled into the country by several local passengers.

 

The officers attached to the Customs Narcotics Control Unit made the seizures on April 6 at the Bandaranaike International Airport, where passengers arrived from Dubai on flights FZ 549, EK 652 and EK 654, and from India on flight 6E 1171 were nabbed. 

 

A total of 1,843 cartons of foreign cigarettes with 368,600 sticks were forfeited during the operation.

 

According to Customs media spokesman ADG Seevali Arukgoda, the estimated street value of the seized cigarettes is approximately Rs.24 million. 

 

The operation highlights ongoing efforts of the Customs to curb illegal imports and protect state revenue.