Gold worth over Rs 27m seized at BIA; immigration officer among 2 arrested

Two suspects including an immigration officer have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake in connection with an attempt to smuggle gold worth over Rs 27 million into the country.

A 31-year-old passenger, from Kattankudy, who had arrived from Kuala Lumpur by flight MH179 at 12.10am this morning and a 55-year-old immigration officer, from Puttalam, on duty at the airport’s arrival lounge have been arrested by customs officers.

The arrests were made at the arrival lounge after 4 packets containing 392 gold chains weighing 3,300g and valued at Rs 18,153,025 and 18 gold slabs weighing 1,800 grams and valued at Rs 9,000,000 were found concealed in a brief case belonging to the immigration officer. 

Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said that the total weight of the seized is 5.1kg while the total estimated value is Rs 27,153,025.

He stated that the investigations are being carried out by a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Nishantha Jayasinghe.

The customs inquiry will be held by Deputy Director of Customs, Anura Walawage, following which the two suspects including the immigration officer along with the gold seized will be handed over to the Customs Investigation Division for onward action, the spokesman said.