Gampola trader with Rs.7.5 Mn worth illicit cigarettes nabbed at BIA

 A local businessman who tried to smuggle in foreign cigarettes worth over Rs. 7.5 million from Dubai was arrested by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning. 

 

The 25-year-old passenger returning from Dubai via Bahrain had tried to leave the airport through the green channel when he was stopped on suspicion and searched. 

 

The Customs officers found 50,000 sticks of cigarettes in 250 cartons from the passenger’s checked baggage. 

 

The suspect has been identified as a resident of Gampola and had purchased the contraband from Dubai to sell in local markets at cheaper prices. 

 

The Customs inquiring into the case forfeited the illicit goods and a fine was to be imposed on the trader.