Woman nabbed at BIA with foreign cigarette haul worth over Rs. 6 million

A Sri Lankan female passenger was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by airport customs officers yesterday morning for attempting to smuggle in a consignment of foreign-made cigarettes worth over Rs. 6 million into the country.

 

The suspect, a 44-year-old resident of Kalubowila, was apprehended while trying to pass through the Green Channel at the airport, an exit route designated for passengers with no items to declare.

 

Customs officials revealed that the woman had attempted to discreetly bring in the contraband using her 7-year-old daughter to divert the attention of authorities.

 

She had arrived at the Katunayake Airport at 8:10 a.m. today on Fly Dubai flight FZ-579 from Dubai. Acting on suspicion, a team of customs officers intercepted the woman and uncovered the concealed stock of cigarettes during a thorough inspection.

 

The consignment, valued at Rs. 6,125,000 was confiscated, and further investigations are currently underway.

 

Customs sources confirmed that appropriate legal action will be taken against the suspect in accordance with Sri Lanka’s Customs regulations.