The Pakistani national allegedly responsible for importing 30,000 vials of contraceptive injection inside a shipment of potatoes has been arrested, Customs officials said.
The 52-year-old suspect was arrested officers of the Customs Revenue Monitoring Unit at around 12 noon in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station, Customs Director Mali Piyasena said.
Customs officers inspecting a container of potatoes imported from Pakistan on April 27 discovered 30,000 vials of the birth control drug, worth around Rs 30 million, concealed within the container.
A total of three containers of potatoes were inspected while 15 bags filled with vials of the drug, prohibited from being imported to the country, were discovered inside one of the containers.
A Pakistani man, who had aided in importing the banned drugs, was arrested following the discovery, however the chief suspect was still at large.
Sri Lanka Customs had notified Immigration and Emigration officials to assist in apprehending the main suspect.
The suspects was arrested today is currently being interrogate, Mr Piyasena said.
